Daily Wisdom For Women 2013 Devotional Collection

Daily Wisdom
for Women
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Daily Wisdom
for Women

2013 DEVOTIONAL COLLECTION
Introduction
Experience an intimate connection
to your heavenly Father with the Daily
Wisdom for Women devotional collection.
Featuring a powerful devotional reading
and prayer for every day of 2013,
this beautiful volume provides inspiration
and encouragement for your soul.
Enhance your spiritual journey with the
refreshing readingsand come to know just
how deeply and tenderly God loves you.
Created by God
So God created man in his own image, in the image
of God he created him; male and female he created them.
GENESIS 1:27 NIV
A whole new year stretches out before you, like a crisp
carpet of newly fallen snow. What kind of footprints will
you leave? Maybe your strides will be gigantic leaps of
faith. Or perhaps you will take tiny steps of slow, steady
progress. Some imprints might even be creative expres-
sions, woman-sized angels in the snow.
You are a woman; you were created in Gods own im-
age. But that isnt the message our world peddles. So what
does it mean to be created in Gods image? For starters,
you have imagination, intellect, and most importantly, a
soul. Thats the deepest part of your being, where you long
to feel whole, loved, cherished, and understood.
But hold the phone: God made you so that He might
have an ongoing relationship with you. You need Him and
Hes promised to always be there for you. Isnt that the
kind of life companion youve searched for?
On her ffty-ffth birthday a close friend confded in
me that shes never felt really loved by anyone. Thats not
true, I told her. God loves you. Hopefully during this
year shell understand that God has been there all along.
She just didnt take time to look in His Word. She didnt
take time to feel His love.
Lord, Psalm 139:14 says, I am fearfully and
wonderfully made. Thank You, not only for
purposely creating me, but for loving me perfectly.
TUESDAY
JANUARY 1
NEW YEARS DAY
Davids Diary
God, God, save me! Im in over my head, quicksand under me, swamp
water over me; Im going down for the third time. Im hoarse from
calling for help, bleary-eyed from searching the sky for God.
PSALM 69:13 MSG
We think of the Book of Psalms as poetry, or even a peek
into King Davids private diaryover half of the psalms
are credited to him. But they were originally verses set to
music, compiled as a hymnbook for corporate worship in
the temple. Unfortunately, we have no known record of
their tunes.
There is a psalm to match every emotion and mood ex-
perienced by human beings: joy, anger, frustration, discour-
agement, loneliness, doubt. Thousands of years after they
were written, they still speak to our needs and desires.
But the psalms are much more than beautiful words
that parallel our emotions: God is their central focus.
Psalms often begin as a heart cry of pain from the psalm-
istbut they invariably end with a focus on God.
The psalm writers had a very real, genuine relation-
ship with God. They sang praises to God, they got angry
with God, they felt abandoned by God, they didnt under-
stand Gods slow response. . .and yet they continued to
live by faith, deeply convicted that God would overcome.
These ancient prayers remind us that nothing can
shock Gods ears. We can tell Him anything and every-
thing. He wont forsake usHis love endures forever.
Oh Lord, You know the secrets of my familys hearts.
Teach us to talk to You through every emotion and
every circumstance. Our focus belongs on You.
WEDNESDAY
JANUARY 2
Needed: A Strong Spring
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD;
in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
PSALM 5:3 KJV
When Lonnie bought a watch in an army supply in Japan in
1946, he never thought it would still be running today, more
than sixty years later. Sometime back, however, he saw that his
watch wasnt keeping time as well as it once did. He took it to
a watch repairman.
When do you wind it? the man asked.
Lonnie told him he winds his watch when he assumes
most people wind theirsif they havent gone digital.
Every night before retiring.
Theres your problem, the repairman said. Your watch
gets its hard knocks during the day. Thats when it needs to be
running on a strong spring. Wind it in the morning and you
wont have any problem with it.
And he hasnt.
We need to begin our busy days on a strong spring, too.
Not with just a good cup of coffee, but some time spent with
our source of strength. Taking fve minutes or an houror
more if were really disciplinedin prayer and Bible reading
can make the difference in our day. No matter if were facing
wresting kids out of bed or fghting traffc all the way to work,
that special time can give us a spring in our step today.
Thank You, Lord, for another day. Be my source of
strength today. In Jesus blessed name. Amen.
THURSDAY
JANUARY 3
Joy in te Morning
All who seek the LORD will praise him.
Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy.
PSALM 22:26 NLT
How grand God is! He knows how dependent we are on
Him for the everyday joy we need to carry on. And every
day, He provides us with beauty all around to cheer and
help us.
It may come through the beauty of fowers or the
bright blue skyor maybe the white snow covering the
trees of a glorious winter wonderland. It may be through
the smile of a child or the grateful face of the one we care
for. Each and every day, the Lord has a special gift to re-
mind us of whose we are and to generate the joy we need
to succeed.
In our own pain and frustration, there are times when
our eyes dont see the beauty God sends. But if well ask,
Hell show us. God is faithful to build us up with every-
thing we need to serve Him with joy. What an awesome
God we serve!
Lord God, I thank You for Your joy;
I thank You for providing it every day
to sustain me. I will be joyful in You.
FRIDAY
JANUARY 4
Renewal of All Things
Then Peter answered and said to Him, Behold, we have left everything
and followed You; what then will there be for us? And Jesus said to them,
Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration
when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon
twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
MATTHEW 19:2728
Peter, always so practical. Heres what hes really saying:
Lord, when we get to the end, will it have been worth it to
follow You? And Jesus reassures him with a gigantic yes!
How it must have broken Jesus heart to know His trea-
sured follower would be martyred one day. Perhaps Peter had
an inkling about this, too. We see he wanted desperately to
know whether life really went on eternally. The Lord went
a step further and related that Peter would not only be with
Christ, the Son of Man, eternally, but he would have work to
do once he arrived in heaven.
None of us will just occupy space in heaven. Our God is
always productive. And this job to which Jesus refers, that of
judging the twelve tribes of Israel, will be given to the dis-
ciples.
Have you ever speculated as to what you might do in
heaven? Well, dont worry, its not going to be anything like
what youve done on earth. Your boss, after all, will be
perfect. And the tasks you perform will be custom-tailored to
you. Job satisfaction will fnally ft into our vernacular.
Lord, I cant even imagine what You have in store for
me in heaven. Please keep me faithful to complete the
duties Youve called me to on earth.
SATURDAY
JANUARY 5
He Enjoys You
The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
ZEPHANIAH 3:17 ESV
Memory is a powerful part of each one of us. Perhaps you
can see your father cheering you on in a sports event or
you remember your mother stroking your feverish fore-
head while you lay sick in bed. With those mental pic-
tures comes a recollection of emotionhow good it felt to
be cheered and encouragedhow comforting it was to be
loved and attended.
Zephaniahs words remind us that God is our loving
parent. Our mighty Savior offers us a personal relation-
ship, loving and rejoicing over us, His children, glad that
we live and move in Him. He is the Lord of the universe,
and yet He will quiet our restless hearts and minds with
His tender love. He delights in our lives and celebrates
our union with Him. We can rest in His affrmation and
love, no matter what circumstances surround us.
Lord, help me remember that You are always with
me and that You delight in me. Remind me that I
am Your child and that You enjoy our relationship.
SUNDAY
JANUARY 6
Perfect Peace and Rest
For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel,
In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be
your strength. But you were unwilling.
ISAIAH 30:15 ESV
Some of the saddest words in the Bible are found at the end
of Isaiah 30:15: But you were unwilling. Here the Lord sets
before His people a simple formula to the extreme diffcul-
ties of life they were experiencing. By returning to Gods ways
and resting in Him, they could be safe from the enemies who
sought to destroy them. In quieting their spirits and trusting
in God, they could be strengthened for the battles ahead. But
they were unwilling. Instead they wanted to fee Gods pres-
ence.
Frances Ridley Havergals devotion to God throughout
her short life is seen in her many hymns. The nineteenth-
century English womans life was riddled with pain and
sickness, yet she sought the Lord through it all. In her hymn
Like a River Glorious, she depicts the peace and rest God
offers as a mighty river, growing fuller and deeper each day.
The refrain summarizes Gods promise to each of us: Stayed
upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest; fnding, as He promised,
perfect peace and rest.
Father, Im tired of trying to outrun my problems.
May Your peace fow through me like a mighty river,
bringing rest to my soul.
MONDAY
JANUARY 7
Seeking Wisdom
To receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and
equity; to give prudence to the naive, to the youth knowledge and
discretion, a wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man
of understanding will acquire wise counsel, to understand a proverb
and a fgure, the words of the wise and their riddles.
PROVERBS 1:36
When asked by God what he wished for, Solomon an-
swered, Wisdom. Looking back over your life, if youd
been afforded this same opportunity in your early twenties,
what would your response have been?
Like most of us, at that age wisdom probably wasnt
high on your priority list. Instead of asking God or your
parents for direction, you more likely turned to your
peers.
Natalie, a strikingly beautiful girl whod just turned
seventeen, found the advances of an older man extremely
diffcult to resist. Disregarding all the precepts shed
learned from years of Sunday school, Natalie turned in-
stead to a non-Christian girlfriend for advice. Go for it!
the friend encouraged with gusto.
A decade later that friend has been married and
divorced. Natalie herself found out too late that her boy-
friend already had a wife and baby.
Satan may be out of the garden but he still fnds his
way into vulnerable areas of our lives. But God is with
you, even in times of sinful temptation. Hes promised to
give you the power to withstand such moral crises.
Lord, surround me with friends who know You and
Your Word. Surround me in a crisis so I can still
hear Your voice of wisdom and reason.
TUESDAY
JANUARY 8
Sweet Aroma
The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.
PROVERBS 27:9 NLT
When you think of the word comfort, what comes to mind?
Maybe its a favorite pair of jeans or a well-worn sweatshirt. It
might be chocolate or homemade mac and cheesefoods that
soothe in a diffcult time. Or perhaps its a luxurious bubble
bath, complete with candles and relaxing music.
While all these things can bring temporary relief, Gods
Word tells us that fnding true comfort is as simple as sharing
heart-to-heart with a friend. Whether its over coffee, des-
sert, or even on the phone, a cherished friend can offer the
encouragement and God-directed counsel we all need from
time to time.
Friendships that have Christ as their center are wonderful
relationships blessed by the Father. Through the timely, godly
advice these friends offer, God speaks to us, showering us
with comfort that is as sweet as perfume and incense. So what
are you waiting for? Make a date with a friend and share the
sweet aroma of Jesus!
Jesus, Your friendship means the world to me.
I value the close friendships Youve blessed me with, too!
Thank You for the special women in my life.
Show me every day how to be a blessing to them,
just as they are to me.
WEDNESDAY
JANUARY 9
Full of Grace
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt,
so that you may know how to answer everyone.
COLOSSIANS 4:6 NIV
Infection. Tone of voice. Attitude. Maybe you remember
your mom saying, Its not what you say, but how you say
it. Words not only convey a message, they also reveal the
attitude of our hearts. When our conversation is full of
grace, even diffcult truths can be communicated effec-
tively. But how do we season our words with grace?
Grace is undeserved favor that extends unconditional
love to another. Whether youre communicating with
friends, family, or coworkers, its important to show that
you value them. Put their needs above your own. Com-
municate truth within the context of love. Show compas-
sion and forgiveness. Demonstrate understanding and an
openness to receive their input. Respect their opinion.
Rather than striving to drive home your point, try to
understand theirs. Seek to build them up. Convey encour-
agement and hope. Be positive.
When our conversations are full of grace, people
will enjoy communicating with us. They will walk away
blessed by the love we have shown. Today, in your conver-
sations, extend Gods grace to those hungry to experience
His love.
Dear Lord, may I view each conversation
as an opportunity to extend Your grace to others.
May my words be a blessing. Amen.
THURSDAY
JANUARY 10
Keeping a Clean Heart
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse
ourselves from all flthiness of the fesh and spirit,
perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 CORINTHIANS 7:1 NKJV
Her new home had white ceramic tile foors throughout.
Upon seeing them, visiting friends and family often asked,
Wont they show every speck of dirt?
Yes, but at least I can tell if I need to clean them, replied
the new home owner, explaining her thinking that the better
she could see the dirt the better chance she had of keeping
them sparkling clean.
So how often do you have to clean themonce a week?
her friends asked.
More like every day, she replied, laughing at their horri-
fed faces.
Keeping a clean heart requires similar diligence and
regular upkeep. While Jesus Himself cleanses us from all
unrighteousness, as believers we need to be on the lookout
for temptations and situations that might cause us to fall into
sin in the frst place. Reading the Bible reminds us that God
is holy and that He expects us to strive for holiness in our
thoughts and actions. As we pray daily, God shows us areas
in our character or behaviors that are displeasing to Him and
that need a thorough cleaning.
Like the home owner who enjoyed knowing her foors
were clean, there is joy and peace knowing our hearts can be
clean, too.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me
[Psalm 51:10 NKJV]. Amen.
FRIDAY
JANUARY 11
He Keeps His Promises
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to
prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
JEREMIAH 29:11 NIV
Unimaginable. That must describe the hopelessness the
disciples felt as they saw their Master die on the cross. All
the promises they held dearall their feelings of hopeful
expectationwere shot down with those fnal words: It is
fnished.
Some of Jesus followers may have remembered His
earlier words assuring them of His return. But in the face
of certain death, those words of victorious life must have
been hard to accept.
We all experience moments of hopelessness in our
earthly journeys. The death of our dreams, the crashing
down of our hopes, the promises of God seemingly unful-
flled. . .we are no more immune to disappointment than
Jesus disciples were.
In the end, though, Jesus promises held trueHe
did prevail no matter how dark that frst Good Friday
looked. We can always trust the words of our Lord. He
knows the plans He has for us, and He has the power to
see them through.
Hope and a future, prosperity and peacewe can
trust that, even when things seem hopeless, God is still at
work, carrying out His promises.
Thank You, Jesus, for being at work in my life.
Thank You for having a perfect plan and for keeping
Your promises. Give me faith to believe in You even
when it seems like everything is going wrong.
SATURDAY
JANUARY 12
Trials Have a Purpose
Then Joseph said to his brothers, Please come closer to me. And they came
closer. And he said, I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt.
And now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me
here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.
GENESIS 45:45
How many of us could forgive as Joseph did? His jealous
siblings had kidnapped him, thrown him into a pit, and then
allowed him to be sold into slavery. Yet Joseph trusted that
from Gods perspective, not his own, his trials had a purpose.
Joseph walked through his humiliating ordeal with his
eyes focused on the Lord. He continued not only to love his
brothers but to fnd forgiveness in his heart for them. Study-
ing his life has enabled me to look at my own situation differ-
ently: God can accomplish miracles in the midst of trials.
Is there a hurt so deep inside that you have never shared
it with another human being? Perhaps someone in your own
family has rejected or betrayed you. Remember the pain
suffered by Joseph; remember the anguish of Jesus Christ,
who was betrayed by one as close as a brother, Judas Iscariot.
God knows your pain and He is strong enough to remove any
burden.
Lord, sometimes I want to enjoy my agony a
while longer. Show me the brilliance of Your
forgiveness that I might trust You in the trial
and not miss the outcome Youve planned.
SUNDAY
JANUARY 13
A Prosperous Soul
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper
and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3 JOHN 1:2 KJV
Twenty-frst-century women do everything conceivable
to keep their bodies and their minds in good shape. They
work out, watch their calories and carbs, and take excel-
lent care of their skin and teeth. On the outside, many
women appear to be in excellent health. But what about
their souls? What would it proft a woman to be com-
pletely ft on the outside and have a sin-sick soul?
Maybe youre one of those women who thrive on
staying in shape. Perhaps you even put your external body
on the front burner of your life, paying particular atten-
tion to diet, exercise, and appearance. As you think about
your overall health, consider your soul. Have you given
your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ? If so, are you
spending time with Him? Praying? Reading His Word?
These things are necessary for a healthy soul.
Todays scripture is so encouraging. God wants us to
prosper and He loves for us to be in good health, even as
our souls prosper. If we really think about that, we have to
conclude that the health of our soul is even more impor-
tant than our physical health. Spend some time today
giving your soul a workout.
Lord, sometimes I pay more attention to the outside
than the inside. I care more about what people can
see than what they cant. Today I draw near to You.
Make me healthy. . .from the inside out.
MONDAY
JANUARY 14
Self-Examination
Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD!
LAMENTATIONS 3:40 ESV
What if you could follow yourself around for the day, care-
fully examining all that you do? Look at your scheduleyour
choice of activities, the people you talk to, the things you
listen to and watch, the habits being formed, the thoughts you
think. Maybe your heart desires intimacy with God, but a real
day in your life leaves no time for solitude. God often speaks
to us in the stillness and silent spaces. How will we hear Him
if were never still?
Taking time to refect, to think, and to examine oneself is
a necessary step in moving toward intimacy with God. Before
we can turn back to Him, we must repent of the things that
moved us away from Him in the frst place. As we set aside
time for solitude and refection, the Holy Spirit will gently
show us these things if we ask. He will show us the sins we
need to confess and give us the grace of repentance. Experi-
encing forgiveness, our fellowship with our heavenly Father is
restored.
Lord, help me to still myself before You and be
willing to examine my ways. Speak to me through
Your Holy Spirit of what is wrong in my life.
Give me the gift of repentance and allow me
to enjoy the sweetness of Your forgiveness.
TUESDAY
JANUARY 15
The New Me
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
the old has gone, the new has come!
2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 NIV
Are you in Christ? Is He consistently Lord of your life?
Then you are a new creation.
Regardless of your past, regardless of the circum-
stances you may have faced, youre a new creation. All the
past guilt is gonevanished, obliteratedand everything
is new.
Its true that some of us live with the consequences of
past choices. Maybe our children are the result of pre-
marital sexbut they are nonetheless marvelous miracles
of God. Maybe todays health problems result from years
of unwise and harmful choicesbut God says the guilt is
all in the past, gone. Everything is new. Whats history is
done and overand Jesus has replaced your old with His
new: new peace, new joy, new love, new strength.
Since God Himself sees us as a new creation, how can
we do any less? We need to choose to see ourselves as a
new creation, too. And we can, through Gods grace.
If you are in Christ, you are a new creation. Be glad.
Give thanks. Live each day as the new creation you have
become through Jesus.
Father, Im so thankful that You are a God of grace
and I thank You that I am a new creation. Please give
me the spiritual eyes to see myself as a new creation,
looking past the guilt of yesterdays choices.
WEDNESDAY
JANUARY 16
A Refuge from Our Despair
Hear my cry, O God; give heed to my prayer. from the end
of the earth I call to Thee, when my heart is faint; lead me to the
rock that is higher than I. For Thou hast been a refuge for me,
a tower of strength against the enemy. Let me dwell in Thy tent
forever; let me take refuge in the shelter of Thy wings.
PSALM 61:14
King David, writer of this psalm, composed it as a song, ac-
knowledging God as his rock. He clung with tenacity to the
fact that no matter how desperate his situation appeared, God
was as immovable as a huge rock or boulder. Although Davids
trials may differ from yours, you, too, can use strong coping
mechanisms.
First, David acknowledged God remained all powerful,
despite life circumstances. And second, David looked back at
Gods past rescues. O my God, my soul is in despair within
me; therefore I remember Thee from the land of the Jordan,
and the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to
deep at the sound of Thy waterfalls; all Thy breakers and Thy
waves have rolled over me. The LORD will command His lov-
ingkindness in the daytime; and His song will be with me in
the night, a prayer to the God of my life (Psalm 42:68).
Lord, I search for a way through the torrents of despair.
How precious is the knowledge that You hear and care.
THURSDAY
JANUARY 17
Make a Choice
Do not let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated).
You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God;
believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me.
JOHN 14:1 AMP
Some days are full of joy and peace; others are not. When
we face the inevitable dark days in life, we must choose
how we respond. We bring light to the darkest of days
when we turn our face to God. Sometimes we must let in
trusted friends and family members to help on our jour-
ney toward solving our problems.
David knew much distress and discomfort when he
cried out, God is our Refuge and Strength (Psalm 46:1
AMP). Matthew Henrys commentary says of Psalm 46,
Through Christ, we shall be conquerors. . . . He is a Help,
a present Help, a Help found, one whom we have found
to be so; a Help at hand, one that is always near; we can-
not desire a better, nor shall we ever fnd the like in any
creature.
Knowing that Christ is at the center of our battles
and that we can trust Himlends peace and stills the
weakest of hearts. Rely on Him to lead you through the
darkest days.
Oh Lord, still my troubled heart. Let me learn to
rely on You in all circumstances. Thank You,
Father, for Your everlasting love.
FRIDAY
JANUARY 18
His Perfect Strengt
My grace is suffcient for you, for my power is made perfect
in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about
my weaknesses, so that Christs power may rest on me.
How do you defne stress? Perhaps you feel it when the car
doesnt start or the toilet backs up or the line is too long at
the grocery store. Or maybe your source of stress is a ter-
rible diagnosis, a late-night phone call, a demanding boss, or
a broken relationship. Its probably a combination of all of
these things. You might be able to cope with one of them, but
when several are bearing down at once, stress is the inevitable
result.
It has been said that stress results when our perceived
demands exceed our perceived resources. When the hours re-
quired to meet a deadline at work (demand) exceed the num-
ber of hours we have available (resources), we get stressed.
The most important word in this defnition is perceived. When
it comes to stress, people have a tendency to do two things.
One, they magnify the demand (I will never be able to get this
done) and two, they fail to consider all of their resources. For
the child of God, this includes His mighty strength, which
remains long after ours is gone.
In an uncertain world, it is diffcult to say few things for
sure. But no matter what life throws our way, we can be conf-
dent of this: Our demands will never exceed Gods vast re-
sources.
Strong and mighty heavenly Father,
thank You that in my weakness I can always
rely on Your perfect strength. Amen.
SATURDAY
JANUARY 19
Wisdom Calls Out
Does not wisdom call, and understanding lift up her voice?
On top of the heights beside the way, where the paths meet, she takes
her stand; beside the gates, at the opening to the city, at the entrance of
the doors, she cries out: To you, O men, I call. . . . For wisdom is
better than jewels; and all desirable things can not compare with her.
PROVERBS 8:14, 11
Dream books, thats what my grandmother called cata-
logues. When I was young wed view them together,
imagining that wed buy all sorts of jewels and trinkets. As
I grew older I realized that none of those things we had
circled really meant anything to Granny. This wise woman
valued people, giving generously of her time to anyone in
need.
Although she never went to college, Granny had a
natural wisdom about people, an understanding of their
hearts, that doesnt come from most books. Her wisdom
came from knowing and living out the precepts in one
book, the Bible, Gods Word.
Wisdom calls to all of us, but some of us are just bet-
ter listeners. Notice in this passage that wisdom is found
on top of the heights beside the way, where the paths
meet . . . Wisdom is a choice. We can walk right past it.
Wisdom is also beside the gates, at the opening to
the city, at the entrance of the doors. . . . Wisdom is at the
very precipice of every decision.
Lord, You lay before me a path of righteousness.
Please help me desire to walk with You!
SUNDAY
JANUARY 20
Unchained!
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear,
but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry,
Abba, Father.
ROMANS 8:15 NIV
Imagine how diffcult life would be inside prison walls. No
sunlight. No freedom to go where you wanted when you
wanted. Just a dreary, dark existence, locked away in a place
you did not choose, with no way of escape.
Most of us cant even imagine such restrictions. As Chris-
tians we have complete freedom through Jesus Christ, our
Lord and Savior. No limitations. No chains.
Ironically, many of us build our own walls and choose
our own chains. When we give ourselves over to fear, were
deliberately entering a prison the Lord never intended for us.
We dont always do it willfully. In fact, we often fnd ourselves
behind bars after the fact, then wonder how we got there.
Do you struggle with fear? Do you feel it binding you with
its invisible chains? If so, then theres good news. Through Je-
sus, you have received the Spirit of sonship. A son (or daugh-
ter) of the most-high God has nothing to fear. Knowing youve
been set free is enough to make you cry, Abba, Father! in
praise. Today, acknowledge your fears to the Lord. He will
loose your chains and set you free.
Lord, thank You that You are the great chain-breaker!
I dont have to live in fear. I am Your child,
Your daughter, and You are my Daddy-God!
MONDAY
JANUARY 21
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY
Don t Give In
But youll welcome us with open arms when we run for cover to you.
Let the party last all night! Stand guard over our celebration. You are
famous, God, for welcoming God-seekers, for decking us out in delight.
PSALM 5:1112 MSG
From time to time, we can lose hope and become discour-
aged despite all the blessings surrounding us. When this
happens, we need to remember Pauls words about the
certainty of Gods promises and realize that our God will
never forsake us.
When we have those down-in-the-dumps days, we
should encircle ourselves with encouragers, Christian
friends who can hold up our arms, like Moses, when were
unable to continue the journey. We can reach for Gods
Word, which breathes life into our spirits. Moments of
prayer will connect us to the Life-Giver and refresh us.
Worry and discouragement are spiritual traps that sap
our energy and cover us with a cloud of gloom. These evil
twins can be dispelled by praise. Turn on the radio, hum
an old hymn, read a psalm aloud. We can choose to praise
and look for joy in spite of our circumstances. David did.
Paul and Silas did. We can, too.
God has promised to give us peace and joy in spite of
our trials and struggles. Lets reach out to Him and shed
our veil of darkness for a mantle of praise.
Heavenly Father, I lift my eyes to the heavens
and ask for Your peace. Thank You for Your love
and care. Thank You for standing by my side.
I praise Your name.
TUESDAY
JANUARY 22
Lay It at te Cross
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. . .you will fnd rest for your
souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
MATTHEW 11:2830 NIV
Does life sometimes get you down? Often when we experi-
ence diffculties that weigh us down, we hear the old adage
Lay it at the cross. But how do we lay our diffculties at the
cross?
Jesus gives us step-by-step guidance in how to place our
diffculties and burdens at the foot of the cross. First, He
invites us to come to Him; those of us who are weary and
burdened just need to approach Jesus in prayer. Second, He
exchanges our heavy and burdensome load with His easy and
light load. Jesus gives us His yoke and encourages us to learn
from Him. The word yoke refers to Christs teachings, Jesus
way of living life. As we follow His teachings, we take His yoke
in humility and gentleness, surrendering and submitting our-
selves to His will and ways for our lives. Finally, we praise God
for the rest He promises to provide us.
Do you have any diffculties in life, any burdens, worries,
fears, relationship issues, fnance troubles, or work problems
that you need to lay at the cross? Jesus says, Come.
Lord, thank You for inviting me to come and exchange
my heavy burden for Your light burden.
I praise You for the rest You promise me. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
JANUARY 23
I Am a Friend of God
When Jesus saw their faith, he said, Friend, your sins are forgiven.
LUKE 5:20 NIV
Friendships are critical to women, and godly friendships
are the best. Can you even imagine a world without your
girlfriends in it? Impossible! Who would you share your
hopes and dreams with? Your goals and aspirations? Oh,
what a blessing women of God are! They breathe hope
and life into us when we need it most. They laugh along
with us at chick ficks. They cry with us when our hearts
are broken.
Isnt it amazing to realize God calls us His friend?
He reaches out to us with a friendship that goes above
and beyond the very best the world has to offer. Best of
all, Hes not the sort of friend who loses touch or forgets
to call. Hes always there. And while your earthly friends
might do a good job of comforting you when youre down,
their brand of comfort doesnt even begin to compare
with the Lords. He knows just what to say when things
go wrong, and knows how to throw an amazing celebra-
tion when things go well for you.
Today, thank the Lordnot just for salvation, not
just for the work Hes done in your heart, not just for the
people and things Hes placed in your lifebut for calling
you His friend.
Oh Lord, Im so blessed to be called Your friend!
Youre the best one Ill ever have. Thank You for the
kind of friendship that supersedes all boundaries.
THURSDAY
JANUARY 24
A Woman of Folly
The woman of folly is boisterous, she is naive, and knows nothing. And she
sits at the doorway of her house, on a seat by the high places of the city,
calling to those who pass by, who are making their paths straight:
Whoever is naive, let him turn in here, and to him who lacks understanding
she says, Stolen water is sweet; and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
But he does not know. . .the depths of Sheol.
PROVERBS 9:1318
This woman is beyond sanguine. She is the party, not just the
life of it! But how did she end up this way, sitting at the door-
way of her house and calling out to those who pass by?
Perhaps life has just sort of happened to her, and she
lost the battle before she even knew what the war was about.
When she was young, all the road signs appeared to be flled
with possibilities. But now that shes getting older the options
are fewer. Shes sitting on a suitcase in an abandoned train
station, waiting for the whistle to blow again.
This woman is not only content to wreak havoc on her
own life, but she entices those who wanted to go the right way
to join her on this road to nowhere. The passage describes
her as naive, because surely if shed known better shed have
chosen more wisely.
Have you ever felt like this woman? Did you start out
with endless options and then begin purchasing tickets to
oblivion? With Christ its not too late to cash in that pass to
nowhere. With Christ your life will have direction.
Lord, please provide me with a true picture of myself.
Guide me to the place You envision for me.
FRIDAY
JANUARY 25
Shining Light
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
MATTHEW 5:14 NIV
Jesus disciples knew all about darkness. Centuries before
electricity had been harnessed to provide light, individu-
als made do with fres and oil lamps. When the sun went
down, darkness ruled.
So when Jesus told His followers that they are the
light of the world, the image meant a great deal to them.
Light that overtakes the darknesslight to illuminate the
way to the Savior. What an amazing concept!
Jesus tells us twenty-frst-century followers to be
light, too, boldly and unashamedly fooding the darkness
that surrounds us. How do we do it? First, by living the
life God calls us tonot sinless, but forgiven. Second, by
sprinkling our conversations with evidence of our faith.
Did something good happen? Share that blessing with
others and give God the credit for it. When someone asks
about the peace they see in you, share the joy of Jesus.
Being a light of the world is not about being a Bible
thumper or bashing others over the head with religion.
Its about living out genuine faith that allows Christs
light to break through our everyday lives. With that goal
in mind, shine!
Jesus, You are my true light. Even though I alone
cant shine as brightly as You, I ask that You shine
through me as I seek to follow after You. I know I
wont be perfect, but I also know that
Your grace has me covered. Amen.
SATURDAY
JANUARY 26
Lead Goose
Jethro replied: That isnt the best way to do it.
You and the people who come to you will soon be worn out.
The job is too much for one person; you cant do it alone.
EXODUS 18:1718 CEV
The V formation of fying geese is a fascinating example of
aerodynamics. Each bird fies slightly above the bird in front
of it, resulting in a reduction of wind resistance. It also helps
to conserve the geeses energy. The farther back a goose is
in formation, the less energy it needs in the fight. The birds
rotate the lead goose position, falling back when tired. With
this instinctive system, geese can fy for a long time before
they must stop for rest. This is an example of Gods wisdom
displayed in the natural world.
We often fnd ourselves as a lead goose. We have a hard
time recognizing signs of exhaustion in ourselves. Even
harder is falling back and letting someone else have a chance
to develop leadership skills. Deep down we think that no
other goose could get the gaggle where it needs to go without
getting lost or bashing into treetops.
Jethro, Moses father-in-law, came for a visit as the Israel-
ites camped near the mountain of God. Jethro found Moses
to be on the brink of exhaustion. You will wear yourself
out and these people as well, he told Moses. Jethro recom-
mended that Moses delegate responsibilities. Moses listened
and implemented everything Jethro suggested, advice that
benefted the entire nation of Israel.
Dear Lord, help me to know when to fall back and rest,
letting someone else take the lead. Teach me
to serve You in any position. Amen.
SUNDAY
JANUARY 27
Voice of te Shepherd
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
JOHN 10:27 NIV
Next time youre around a group of children, watch for
this fascinating phenomenon: At Sunday school or the
day-care center, even with upwards of thirty kids play-
ing, crying, or quietly looking at books, a child will hear
her own mothers voice as soon as she enters the room.
As soon as Mom acknowledges the teacher or helper, her
child, instantly honing in on her voice, will look up to
see her face. None of the other kids stop playing because
shes not their momher voice doesnt catch their atten-
tion. Only a mothers child hears that one special voice
above the ruckus.
It should be the same way for us as Gods children.
We may be engrossed in our day, running after children,
throwing supper together, nursing a coldbut when our
Lord speaks, we should hear Him because we as His chil-
dren know His voice.
Gods voice is distinctand when we become part of
His family, we learn to recognize it. The more we tune in
to that distinct voice, the more well hear it.
Lets be like the child, eager to hear a parents loving
voice.
Lord, I know I am Your childyet often I fnd it
diffcult to hear Your voice over the noise of my life.
Please give me ears to hear Your still, small voice, and
the strength and faith to obey what You say to me.
MONDAY
JANUARY 28
Forsaken by God?
My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?
Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning.
PSALM 22:1
Have you ever cried out to God with such despairing utter-
ances as these? I have. Amid the deep black void of a moon-
less night, my loneliness threatened to pull me into a swirl-
ing, spiraling eddy of emptiness. The sound of my own raspy
voice screamed out from my inmost being: God, if You really
exist, show me how to fnd You! I dont know where You are!
Church hadnt met my needs. People who promised love only
provided pain. While my clenched fsts beat against my bed-
room wall, twelve years worth of tears, a maelstrom of anger,
hurt, and frustration, fowed freely.
He showed me the cross. The year was 1973. I left my
knapsack of grief on the bloodstained ground beneath His
wooden cross. And I never looked back. He has met my every
need in surprising, miraculous, and incredible ways.
Jesus, separated from the Father because of our sin,
reached the ear of God with His own desperation. He expe-
rienced for us this ultimate terror. . .that we would never be
forsaken or walk alone the road that leads to Calvary.
Where are you today? On the road, walking toward Him?
Sitting down, too bewildered to even formulate questions? Or
are you kneeling, as I did, right at His bleeding feet?
Lord, no matter what hazards are down the road,
Youve got a signpost ready to hang on whatever
misleading marker is already in the ground.
And the Son is shining ahead!
TUESDAY
JANUARY 29
Holy Spirit Prayers
We do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself
intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who
searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is,
because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
ROMANS 8:2627
Many times the burdens and troubles of our lives are too
complicated to understand. Its diffcult for us to put them
into words, let alone know how to pray for what we need.
And unless we know someone who has been through simi-
lar circumstances, we can feel isolated and alone.
But we can always take comfort in knowing that the
Holy Spirit knows, understands, and pleads our case
before the throne of God the Father. Our groans become
words in the Holy Spirits mouth, turning our mute
prayers into praise and intercession according to the will
of God.
We can be encouraged, knowing that our deepest
longings and desires, maybe unknown even to us, are
presented before the God who knows us and loves us
completely. Our names are engraved on His heart and
hands. He never forgets us; He intervenes in all things for
our good and His glory.
Father, I thank You for the encouragement these
verses bring. May I always be aware of the Holy
Spirits interceding on my behalf.
WEDNESDAY
JANUARY 30
Giver of Good Things
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD will give grace and glory;
no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
PSALM 84:11 NKJV
Worry is such a useless practice, like spinning wheels on a
vehicle that takes you nowhere. And yet we women are notori-
ous for it. The Bible advises us to let each day take care of
itself. We are promised that God will provide for us.
Psalm 84:11 says that God is not a withholder of good
things from His children. He knows us. He created us and put
in us our own unique dreams, preferences, and hopes. When
you begin to worry, read this verse. Put it on your bulletin
board at work and your bathroom mirror at home. Read it
aloud each time that worry begins to creep in.
Your heavenly Father is not the big man upstairs look-
ing down upon you and laughing at the unfulflled desires in
your life. He wants to give you good things. Often His tim-
ing is different from ours, but His plan is always to bless and
never to harm us. Look for the blessings in each day, and keep
bringing your desires before the Lord in expectation.
Father, sometimes I wonder why You dont just pour
down from heaven the blessing that I cry out for.
Give me patience, and help me to see the good gifts from
You in each dayeven the small ones. Amen.
THURSDAY
JANUARY 31
People Pleaser vs. God Pleaser
We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.
1 THESSALONIANS 2:4 NIV
Much of what we say and do stems from our desire to be
accepted by others. We strive to make a certain impression,
to shed the best light possible on ourselves. Wanting to
be viewed as successful, we may decide to exaggerate,
embellish, or even lie. Its diffcult to be true to ourselves
when we care so much about the acceptance and opinions
of others. Impression management is hard work, so its
good to know God has a better plan!
Rather than being driven by the opinions of others,
strive to live your life for God alone and to please Him
above all else. God knows our hearts. He perceives things
as they truly are. We cannot fool Him. When we allow
ourselves to be real before Him, it doesnt matter what
others think. If the God of the universe has accepted us,
then who cares about someone elses opinion?
It is impossible to please both God and man. We must
make a choice. Man looks at the outward appearance, but
God looks at the heart. Align your heart with His. Let go
of impression management that focuses on outward ap-
pearance. Receive Gods unconditional love and enjoy the
freedom to be yourself before Him!
Dear Lord, may I live for You alone.
Help me transition from a people pleaser
to a God pleaser. Amen.
FRIDAY
FEBRUARY 1
To Touch Jesus Cloak
And a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years,
and had endured much at the hands of many physicians,
and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all,
but rather had grown worse, after hearing about Jesus,
came up in the crowd behind Him, and touched His cloak.
For she thought, If I just touch His garments, I shall get well.
MARK 5:2528
This woman is frantic. Each time shes received the report of
a gifted healer, shes traversed far and wide to fnd a cure. The
wonder is that this dear woman could survive for twelve long
years. For that phrase, endured much, means she suffered
something or experienced evil. Shed become a challenge to
physicians of that day.
In one last-ditch effort she reaches out to touch the gar-
ment of Jesus as He passes by. She doesnt bother to call out
to Him or even ask for help. Somehow she knows that His
very holiness can heal her physically.
And immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the
power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around
in the crowd and said, Who touched My garments? (Mark
25:30). The disciples think Hes losing it for sure.
But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had
happened to her, came and fell down before Him, and told
Him the whole truth (Mark 25:33). Shes been miraculously
healed and now she demonstrates her faith by worshiping
at Jesus feet. Does your faith shine through even in small
gestures?
Lord, You heal me when I come to You,
by renewing my spirit and deepening my faith.
I worship Your majesty and power.
SATURDAY
FEBRUARY 2
A New Name
To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has
been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone,
and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one
understands except the one who receives it.
REVELATION 2:17 NLT
As a teenager, Darlene didnt like her name. It reminded
her of the teenagers portrayed on The Mickey Mouse Club.
That wasnt her! So she experimented with other names.
Around other Darlenes, she used her middle name. She
wrote stories under the pen name Heather.
Later, Darlene learned that the sound of her name
refected its meaning: darling or beloved. Not only that,
she discovered that her parents had chosen her middle
name, Hope, from 1 Corinthians 13:13. Every time they
spoke her name, they were saying, We love you. We have
hope for your future. Darlene felt like she had received a
brand-new name.
God will give each of His children a new name, re-
fecting something unique and special in our lives. When
Abram, which means exalted father, was ninety-nine,
God changed his name to Abraham, meaning father of
many. When Jacob, which means deceiver, wrestled
with God, the Lord changed his name to Israel, he
struggles with God. God looks into our inmost being
and gives us a name that carries the essence of our new
creation in Christ.
What might your new name be?
Dear Lord, I look forward to the day when I will
receive my new name, one that refects the very
essence of who I am in You.
SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 3
The Great Gift Giver
Every good and perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,
who does not change like shifting shadows.
JAMES 1:17 NIV
Do you know a true gift giver? We all give gifts on birthdays
and at Christmas, when we receive wedding invitations, and
when a baby is born. But do you know someone with a real
knack for gift giving? She fnds all sorts of excuses for giv-
ing gifts. She delights in it. A true gift giver has an ability to
locate that something special. When shopping for a gift, she
examines many items before making her selection. She knows
the interests and preferences, the tastes and favorites of her
friends and family members. She chooses gifts they will like
gifts that suit them well.
God is a gift giver. He is, in fact, the Creator of all good
gifts. He fnds great joy in blessing you. The God who made
you certainly knows you by name. He knows your tastes and
preferences. He even knows your favorites and your dreams.
Most important, God knows your needs.
So in seasons of waiting in your life, rest assured that
gifts chosen and presented to you by the hand of God will be
worth the wait.
God, sometimes I am anxious. I want what I want,
and I want it now. Calm my spirit and give me the
patience to wait for Your perfect gifts. Amen.
MONDAY
FEBRUARY 4
An Extravagant God
Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to God, your God.
And heres why: God is kind and merciful. He takes a deep breath,
puts up with a lot, this most patient God, extravagant in love.
JOEL 2:13 MSG
There are times when we are exhausted and discouraged
and we allow our minds to roam to dark places. Despair
and disappointment set in. A woe-is-me attitude prevails.
How do we rise from the doldrums? How do we continue?
We turn our faces toward the Lord God and know that
He is in control.
Scripture tells of Gods mercy and loving-kindness. It
speaks to us to come back to God. This doesnt necessar-
ily mean a change of circumstances, but a change of heart.
And this change is a choice we intentionally make. Its not
necessary to be in a church building or revival tent. While
many changes happen there, ours can be in our closet,
our car, our offce. We reach inwardly to the Highest and
ask for His mercy. And scripture says He is merciful.
Focusing on the negativechoosing despairdoesnt
bring life. Voluntarily focusing on Jesus will. Praise Him
for all your blessings: They are there, look for them! Some
might be tiny, others magnifcent. But theyre all because
of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is a most patient God and
extravagant in His love.
Heavenly Father, I praise Your name. You are
extravagant in Your love, flling me to overfowing!
I am grateful for all Youve done.
TUESDAY
FEBRUARY 5
Jesus Is Tempted by Satan
And the devil said to Him, If You are the Son of God,
tell this stone to become bread. And Jesus answered him,
It is written Man shall not live on bread alone.
LUKE 4:34

Have you ever found yourself so tempted to sin that you
ached all the way to your soul? Christ understands that pull
toward evil.
Satan wasnt just present in the wilderness to bug the
Lord Jesus Christ. This was a full-on, frontal attack. And the
stakes were high. For if Christ succumbed to Satans snare,
He would be ineligible to make that perfect sacrifce on the
cross as the Lamb of God without blemish.
In this frst temptation, Satan intimated that there must
be something wrong with the Fathers love for the Son since
He allowed Him to go hungry. Satans fery darts of doubt were
aimed directly at the Triune God.
With the second temptation, Satan led Christ upward for
a better view of all the kingdoms of the world. Satan at-
tempted to get Christ to bypass the cross and seize the power.
The third temptation involved a literal leap of faith. For
Satan declared that Jesus prove Himself as the Son of God
and stand on the pinnacle of the temple and throw Himself
down. This time the evil one meant to question the Fathers
faithfulness toward the Son. After all, the Scriptures did say
that God would give His angels charge concerning Him.
Lord, I thank You for Your Sons
perfect victory over Satan.
WEDNESDAY,
FEBRUARY 6
Hurt by Oters Choices
God heard the boy crying. The angel of God called from
Heaven to Hagar, Whats wrong, Hagar? Dont be afraid.
God has heard the boy and knows the fx hes in.
GENESIS 21:17 MSG
A slave during early biblical times, Hagar had little say in
her life decisionsothers made them for her. Because of
the infertility of her mistress, Sarah, Hagar became the
concubine of Sarahs husband, Abraham, and gave birth
to Ishmael.
At frst, Hagars hopes soared. Her son would become
Abrahams heir, rich and powerful beyond her wildest
dreams! However, the surprise appearance of Isaac, the
late-life son of Sarah and Abraham, destroyed Hagars
fantasies of a wonderful future. Sarah wanted Hagar and
Ishmael out of their lives. Abraham, though upset, loaded
Hagar with water and food and told her to take Ishmael
into the unforgiving desert.
When their water supply failed, Hagar laid her dehy-
drated son under a bush and walked away crying because
she could not bear to watch Ishmael die. But God showed
Hagar a well of water. Quickly she gave her child a drink.
Both survived, and God was on the boys side as he grew
up (Genesis 21:20 MSG).
God is also on our side when we suffer because of
others choices. Even when we have lost hope, Gods plan
provides a way for us and those we love.
Heavenly Father, when my world seems out
of control, please help me love and trust You
even in the deserts of life.
THURSDAY
FEBRUARY 7
Overwhelmed by Life
The waves of death swirled about me; the torrents of destruction
overwhelmed me. . . . In my distress I called to the LORD. . . .
From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears.
2 SAMUEL 22:5, 7 NIV
Some days the dailyness of life seems like a never-ending
grind. We get up, eat, work, restand do it again the next
day. Then when tragedy strikes, were swept up in grief. What
once seemed doable now seems a huge challenge. Depression
sinks its claws deep into our spirit. Fatigue sets in, and we are
overwhelmed: Life is hard. We may be tempted to question,
Is this all there is?
Heres the good news: Theres more. God never meant for
us to simply exist. He created us for a specifc purpose. He
longs for us to make a difference and show others His love
and grace. Whats more, He never asked us to do life alone.
When the waves of death swirl around us, and the pounding
rain of destruction threatens to overwhelm us, we can cry out
to our heavenly Father, knowing that He will not let us drown.
He will hear our voice, and He will send help.
So, next time you feel that you cant put one foot in front
of the other, ask God to send you His strength and energy. He
will help you to live out your purpose in this chaotic world.
Lord, thank You for strengthening me when the
dailyness of life, and its various trials,
threatens to overwhelm me.
FRIDAY
FEBRUARY 8
Ask for Directions
The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God;
God is in none of his thoughts.
PSALM 10:4 NKJV
Do the laundry, wash the dishes, shop for groceries, cook
dinner, work a full day, drive the kids to soccer practice, the
list of a busy womans duties goes on and on. Entwined
within those chores are the mental challenges of making
wise decisions, dealing with relationships, raising the kids
wellagain, the list goes on.
Somewhere along the way we got the idea that it is
wrong to ask for help. But you cant live the Christian life
like that. Its impossible. You cant possibly forge through
life alone, managing to make wise decisions while you
resist temptations and recover from failures. If you dont
ask for help, you wont stand a chance.
Women often tease that men would rather drive
around lost for hours instead of stopping to ask for direc-
tions. But how often, in your own day, do you stop for a
moment and ask the Father for directions? Jesus, know-
ing that He needed guidance from His Father, constantly
sought His will by praying and asking for it. Instead of
trying to fnd His own way through the day, Jesus fully
depended on directions from above and actively pursued
them.
Jesus, forgive me for my pride and for not asking
You for directions. Please show me the way to go
and lead me in it. Help me to hear Your leading
and then to follow it. Amen.
SATURDAY
FEBRUARY 9
Fishers of Men
Come, follow me, Jesus said,
and I will make you fshers of men.
MATTHEW 4:19 NIV
Walking beside the glistening blue waters of the Sea of Gali-
lee, Jesus saw two brothers casting their fshing nets. When
He spoke the words recorded above, Peter and Andrew must
have been intrigued. But Jesus didnt invent the phrase fsh-
ers of men. Philosophers and teachers of that day used this
term to describe those who captured mens minds.
The passage goes on to say that Peter and Andrew im-
mediately left their nets and followed Jesus. But this wasnt
their frst invitation to follow Him. They had gone with Jesus
to Capernaum and Galilee and later returned to their trade
of fshing. However, this particular invitation was to full-time
ministry and they responded wholeheartedly.
But why did Christ want these fshermen? Peter and
Andrew were men of action who knew how to get a job done
without quitting or complaining. Their tenacity would be an
asset to Christs ministry of soul winning.
Jesus came not only to save but to teach men and women
how to have true servants heart. The substance of ministry is
service. When the apostles agreed to follow Christ, they ac-
cepted the call on His terms, not theirs.
Lord, show me clearly where I can be of
service within my local body of believers.
Perhaps theres a small hand in the Sunday
school just waiting to be held.
SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 10
Melting Point
If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones,
wood, hay, or straw, each ones work will become obvious. . .
because it will be revealed by fre.
1 CORINTHIANS 3:1213 HCSB
Wood, hay, and strawthey all burn. We use them as
kindling and fuel. Apply a fame to each and they leap to
lifeproviding light and heat until theyre totally con-
sumed.
Gold and silver, though, are different. They dont
burn; they melt. As they turn from solid to liquid, the
impurities of their natural state burn away.
In a similar way, tribulation reveals the quality of
our inner lives. Trials consume the worthless parts of our
character, activities, and spending habits. What isnt con-
sumed melts, turning our stability on its head. Then were
prepared for a reformation of what remains.
When we consider what we say, do, purchase, or
pursue, we can use todays verse as our standard. Is our
pursuit ignitabletemporary and unimportantor is it
malleablesomething that can be reshaped and used as
God directs?
What happens when the fres of tribulation blow
through our lives? Do we reach an ignition point or a
melting point?
O Lord God, You test me to transform me into the
image of Your Son. Teach me to invest in what will
last and not that which passes away.
MONDAY
FEBRUARY 11
David Called Him Lord
And Jesus answering began to say, as He taught in the temple, How is it
that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself said
in the Holy Spirit, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand,
until I put thine enemies beneath Thy feet. David himself calls Him
Lord; and so in what sense is He his son? And the great crowd enjoyed
listening to Him. And in His teaching He was saying: Beware of the
scribes. . .who devour widows houses, and for appearances sake offer
long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.
MARK 12:3538, 40
In this age where all of us are overly conscious of being
politically correct, its diffcult to understand how extremely
direct Christ was being here. The Pharisees, after all, enjoyed
a position in which their motives and actions were seldom
questioned.
Christ had just explained to the Pharisees that the reason
they couldnt comprehend what would take place in the Res-
urrection was because they understood neither the Scriptures
nor the power of God (Mark 12:24).
All of us are responsible not only to read the Word of God
with understanding but also to have discernment concerning
the clergy who minister to us. Is their primary goal to make
sure their fock is ultimately led to Gods glory?
Am I like those in the crowd who simply
enjoyed listening to Christ? Help me take
time to know You, Lord.
TUESDAY
FEBRUARY 12
Take My Hand
I have no regrets. I couldnt be more sure of my ground
the One Ive trusted in can take care of what hes trusted me to do.
2 TIMOTHY 1:1112 MSG
Ever feel like giving up? Throwing in the towel? Some
days its hard to fnd the resolve to persevere. Despite our
human frailties, our heavenly Father is there to grab our
hands and pull us to our feet. He isnt impressed with
what we do in life, but how we tackle each day. He wants
us to gaze at Him and know Hes there to take care of us
despite the overwhelming odds life brings.
Paul could have given in. The man was shipwrecked,
beaten, imprisoned, and persecuted, and yet he kept on
giving the Lord praise. He preached the good news of
Jesus and faced the consequences of his actions. Few of
us will face the same persecution, but we have the same
Spirit within us that Paul did. He told Timothy he had no
regrets because he was sure of the One he served.
Are you sure today of the One you serve? When com-
ing to grips with diffculties, do you turn to the Creator of
the universe and ask for help? You should. Hes available.
Just reach out and take His hand. Hell be there.
Lord, teach me Your love. Let me feel Your embrace.
I choose to trust in You. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
FEBRUARY 13
ASH WEDNESDAY
How Do I Love Thee?
This is what real love is: It is not our love for God; it is Gods love
for us. He sent his Son to die in our place to take away our sins.
1 JOHN 4:10 NCV
If the word love were banned from popular music, radio sta-
tions and songwriters would go out of business. Even the
Internet would shrink without this word, so key to human
existence. All around the world, people search for someone to
care. They chat with strangers, post videos, pay for profles
anything to fnd the real love they crave.
Few prove successfulbecause we human beings are
hard to love! Even our charity often wears a disguise. We give
so we will receive attention, prestige, or assurance that other
people will respect us. Some of us even think our little fve-
and-dime love will obtain a place for us in heaven, as if God
were a headwaiter to be bribed.
The Bible tells us He does not need our love. He is love.
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit love each
other in perfect eternal unity and joy. If God had done the
logical thing, He would have wiped out us troublesome hu-
mans and created a new race, one that would worship Him
without question.
But He would rather die than do that.
Oh Lord, when I presume on Your love, please forgive
me. Open my eyes to Your magnifcent generosity
so I can worship with my whole heart,
in a way that pleases You.
THURSDAY
FEBRUARY 14
VALENTINES DAY
Light in te Darkness
I will lead blind Israel down a new path, guiding them along an
unfamiliar way. I will brighten the darkness before them and
smooth out the road ahead of them.
ISAIAH 42:16 NLT
In the dim moonlight, we can sometimes fnd our way
in the darkness of our homes. In familiar places we know
the lay of the land. At best we will make our way around
the obstacles through memory and shadowy outline. At
worst, we will lightly stumble into an armchair or a piano
bench. When all else fails, we know where the light switch
is and, blindly groping in the darkness, we can turn on
the light to help us fnd our way.
But when we walk in the darkness of unfamiliar
places, we may feel unsettled. Not sure of our bearings,
not knowing where the light switch is, we become over-
whelmed, afraid to step forward, afraid even to move. At
those times, we need to remember that our God of light
is always with us. Although we may not see Him, we can
rest easy, knowing He is ever-present in the darkness of
unknown places, opportunities, and challenges.
God will never leave us to fnd our way alone. Real-
ize this truth and arm yourself with the knowledge that
no matter what the situation, no matter what the trial, no
matter how black the darkness, He is ever there, reaching
out for us, helping us fnd our way. Switch on the truth of
His light in your mind, and walk forward, knowing He is
always within reach.
Lord, be my Light. Guard me in the darkness of
these days. Make my way straight and the ground
I trod smooth. And if I do stumble, catch me!
In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
FRIDAY
FEBRUARY 15
Hope
Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
PSALM 42:56 NIV

If youve ever been depressed, youre not alone. Depression
can be caused by circumstances, biology, environment, or a
combination of all of those things. Research indicates that as
many as 25 percent of Americans suffer from depression at
some point in their lives.
We are blessed with scriptural accounts of godly people
like David and Jeremiah who struggled with depression.
These stories let us know that its a normal human reaction to
feel overcome by the diffculties of life.
While feeling this way is normal, it doesnt have to be the
norm. As Christians, we have hope. Hope that our circum-
stances will not always be the way they are right now. Hope
that no matter how dismal the world situation seems to be,
God wins in the end. Hope that eternity is just on the other
side.
Hope is like a little green shoot poking up through hard,
cracked ground. When youre depressed, do what David and
Jeremiah didpour out your heart to God. Seek help from a
trusted friend or godly counselor.
Look for hope. Its all around you, and its yours for the
taking.
Father, even when I am depressed, You are still God.
Help me to fnd a ray of hope in the midst
of dark circumstances. Amen.
SATURDAY
FEBRUARY 16
The Original Me Generation
And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and
authority over all the demons, and to heal diseases. And He sent them
out to proclaim the kingdom of God, and to perform healing.
And He said to them, Take nothing for your journey, neither a staff,
nor a bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even have two tunics
apiece. And whatever house you enter, stay there,
and take your leave from there.
LUKE 9:13
Remember what it was like as a kid to dream about hav-
ing unlimited powers? Such fantasies have inspired car-
toonists to create a variety of superheroes. In our hearts
we know that these superheroes arent real men and
women. Human beings, if nothing else, are full of faws,
phobias, and fears.
He instructed His apostles not to take any possessions
or provisions with them. Jesus wanted them to learn to
rely fully on Him. But their lack of faith rendered them
too weak to exercise this authority.
These were the men Christ had trained, empowered,
and prepared to bring the Gospel message frst to the
Jews and then the Gentiles. They had been with Christ
on a daily basis, learning from His example how to reach
out with compassion to those in need. But instead they
displayed both selfshness and a lack of love. How could
they be left in charge of disseminating the Gospel? And
yet they were Gods Plan A.
Lord, how grateful I am that Your Holy Spirit
worked in the lives of these apostles, molding them
into strong men of faith. Help me to become unselfsh
with my time that many more will hear the Gospel.
SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 17
Fear-Free
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that fies by day.
PSALM 91:5 NIV
Were you afraid of the dark when you were a little girl? Its
hard to be comfortable when you cant see whats out there,
right? Even as a big girl, the nighttime hours can still be a
little scary. Seems like were most vulnerable to fears and fail-
ures in the wee hours, when the darkness closes in around us.
So, how do you face the terror of night without fear?
You have to grasp the reality that God is bigger and greater
than anything that might evoke fear. Hes bigger than fnancial
struggles. Hes bigger than job stress. Hes even bigger than
relational problems. Best of all, He can see in the dark. He
knows whats out there and can deal with it. All it takes is one
sentence from Him: Let there be light! and darkness dispels.
We serve an awesome and mighty God, One who longs
to convince us Hes mighty enough to save us, even when the
darkness seeps in around us. So dont fear what you cant see.
Or what you can see. Hand over that fear and watch God-
ordained faith rise up in its place.
Father, Im glad You can see in the dark. Sometimes I
face the unseen things of my life with fear gripping my
heart. I release that fear to You today. Thank You for
replacing it with godly courage.
MONDAY
FEBRUARY 18
PRESIDENTS DAY
Be a God-Pleaser
Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God?
Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men,
I would not be a servant of Christ.
GALATIANS 1:10 NIV
Sometimes we work ourselves to the bone because we
have no choice. Other times, we do it to win the approval
of others.
Today, lets be honest with ourselves. Are we run-
down? Worn out? If thats the result of situations we cant
control, lets ask the Lord to give us the strength we need
to keep going. But if were exhausted because were afraid
of letting someone down or hurting his or her feelings, it
might be time to reassess. If were up to our eyebrows in
work, overlooking other options for the people under our
care, then we might be caught up in the man-pleaser
game.
Heres how the game works: We do our best to make
others happyat any expense. Our health, our fnances,
our time. We sacrifce in unbalanced ways because were
concerned about what people will think of us.
Today, lets aim to be God-pleasers. Lets do the
things He calls us tonothing more and nothing less.
Lord, You see my heart. You know what struggles
I have in accomplishing these tasks. Redirect my
thoughts, Father, to pleasing You rather than men.
TUESDAY
FEBRUARY 19
Pack Up!
The LORD had said to Abram, Leave your native country,
your relatives, and your fathers family, and go to the
land that I will show you. . . . I will bless you. . .
and you will be a blessing to others.
GENESIS 12:12 NLT
Honey, were moving! Kaylas husband called to tell her.
His company had offered him a big promotionin another
state. Her response? Fat, sloppy tears. She hoped her weeping
would change his mind.
Kayla ended up loving her new home.
In Gods wisdom, He likes to shake us up a little, stretch
us out of our comfort zone, push us out on a limb. Yet we re-
sist the change, cling to whats known, and try to change His
mind with fat, sloppy tears.
God seems to have a fondness for change. His frst words
to Abram were, Get packing. Say good-bye to your pals in
glitzy Ur. I have something better in mind for you (authors
paraphrase).
Are you facing a big change? It might not be a change of
address. It could be running for a seat on the school board or
going on a short-term mission trip. God wants us to be willing
to embrace change that He brings into our lives. Even unbid-
den change. You may feel as if youre out on a limb, but dont
forget that God is the tree trunk. Hes not going to let you fall.
Holy, loving Father, in every area of my life,
teach me to trust You more deeply. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
FEBRUARY 20
When Fear Paralyzes
And a certain young man was following Him, wearing nothing
but a linen sheet over his naked body; and they seized him. But he left
the linen sheet behind, and escaped naked. And they led Jesus away to
the high priest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes
gathered together. And Peter had followed Him at a distance, right
into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the
offcers, and warming himself at the fre. Now the chief priests and
the whole Council kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus
to put Him to death; and they were fnding none.
MARK 14:5155
Suddenly you awake at one in the morning to the sound
of the doorknob being turned, followed by the sound of
creaking boards. Your heart leaps into your throat. What
do you do?
When John Mark, the writer of this Gospel, learned
that Jesus had been captured by the Roman guards and
a trial was pending, he grabbed the sheet off his bed and
ran to observe the events himself.
We know John Mark escaped the threatening situa-
tion. Yet Jesus Christ remained in the eye of the storm, well
aware of the situation yet in perfect sync with the Father.
When fear paralyzes, help is only a prayer away.
Lord, I believe in all that You are,
both God and Man.
THURSDAY
FEBRUARY 21
Talking to God
One of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray,
just as John taught his disciples. He said to them,
When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread.
LUKE 11:13 NIV
Ruth was a Christian, but she struggled in her prayer life.
How could she be worthy of speaking to the supreme Creator
of the universe? He already knew everything in her mind.
Lord, she thought, I dont know what to say. How can I pos-
sibly pray to You? Do You even hear my insignifcant requests?
Yes, God hearsand, although He knows what we need
before we even ask Him, He wants us to pray. He even gave us
instruction on how to pray. Our prayers dont have to be long or
eloquent or even particularly organized. When Jesus taught His
disciples to pray, the sample wasnt wordy. He simply taught
the disciples to give God glory and to come to Him and ask for
their daily needs.
But Luke 11 teaches us something beyond just an outline
for prayer. The story shows clearly that if we ask God to teach
us how to pray, He will. Its all part of the prayerask God to
lead you, then speak to Him from the heart.
Lets make it a habit to pray every day. Like the saying
goes, practice makes perfect.
Dear God, teach me how to pray. Remind me that my
words dont have to be profound. Youre just looking for
earnest thoughts from the heart.
FRIDAY
FEBRUARY 22
Fix Your Eyes
So we fx our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
The majestic oaks enormous trunk was three feet in
diameter. For more than one hundred years, buds had
formed each spring and leaves had dropped each fall. But
one spring, the leaves were not as plentiful as in previous
years. That summer the leaves suddenly turned brown.
Soon it was painfully obvious that the great white oak had
died.
What a visual reminder that the things of this world
will someday pass away. Although the oak had lived many
years, it no longer produced oxygenno longer shaded
the backyard. Even trees have life spans.
There are very few things that can be counted on to
last forever. Souls are eternal; they remain even when our
earthly bodies decay. We need to see beyond the physical
by focusing on the spiritual. There is life beyond what we
are experiencing in this moment.
Spend your energy and resources on those things
that will last: your relationships with your heavenly Father
and with others. Love God. Love people. Then you wont
fear being cut down like the majestic oak. You will live
into eternity in the Lords presence.
Dear Lord, help me keep an eternal focus
and perspective in this life. Allow me to
see what is unseen. Amen.
SATURDAY
FEBRUARY 23
Say What ?
Dont fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener
when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one
ear and out the other. Act on what you hear!
JAMES 1:22 MSG
Have you ever been introduced to someone and immediately
forgotten the persons name? Similarly, have you ever tried to
talk to someone who is engrossed in a television show? Yeah,
Im listening, the person replies in a less-than-attentive
voice.
James seems to be in a similar situation. He is frustrated
by those who pretend to listen and yet do not apply what
they have heard. Like a person who sits through a speech and
afterward cannot list the main points, so the people to whom
James writes have heard the Word of God and cannotor will
notapply it.
So often we fnd ourselves tuning out the minister on
Sunday morning or thinking about other things as we read
our Bibles or sing hymns of praise. We look up at the end of
a sermon, a stanza, a chapter, and we dont know what weve
heard, sung, or read. We pretend to hear, but we are really
letting the Word of God go in one ear and out the other. Our
minds must be disciplined to really listen to Gods Word.
Then we must do the more diffcult thingact on what weve
fnally heard.
Dear Lord, please teach me to be attentive to Your
Word. Help me to act on the things You teach me so that
mine becomes a practical faith. Amen.
SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 24
Marta and Mary
A woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.
And she had a sister called Mary, who moreover was listening
to the Lords word, seated at His feet. But Martha was distracted
with all her preparations; and she came up to Him, and said,
Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all
the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.
LUKE 10:3840
Isnt this just how we feel when the men in our house-
hold excuse themselves from the table as soon as the frst
dirty dish appears? Martha, ever the perfect hostess, was
left to do all the work. It didnt seem fair.
However, what Martha really desired was a release
from her compulsive neatness. And thats when the Lord
presented her with a process for chilling out.
Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about
so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really
only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall
not be taken away from her (Luke 10:4142). In other
words, all the busyness that now preoccupied Martha
didnt really matter. Jesus was here and she was passing up
a tremendous opportunity to learn from Him.
After all, who knew better than Christ how to put the
pressures of life into perspective? He had only three years
in which to establish His ministry, train up His disciples,
and present the Gospel. Yet we see no record of Him hur-
rying others or running at a frantic pace.
Have you taken time to get to know your Lord? Per-
haps your life, like Marthas, is missing the best part.
Lord, I pray for peace today from my busy
schedule so I may learn at Your knee.
MONDAY
FEBRUARY 25
Humble Service Is Pure Religion
Pure religion and undefled before God and the Father is this,
to visit the fatherless and widows in their affiction,
and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
JAMES 1:27 KJV
She was not a great Christian. She didnt do marvelous
things for God. She was no missionary like Amy Carmichael
or Gladys Aylward. Books and movies wont be written about
her.
Her short life was spent in a rural area of Pennsylvania.
But decades after her death, she is still remembered for her
many acts of kindness.
Her children remember, too. Often they sat in the car
alone, waiting as she visited the sick in the hospital or the
bereaved at the funeral home. Often they sat politely on dusty
chairs as she visited shut-ins, and sat quietly in the backseat
as she talked to the widows she drove around in her car.
Those kids helped her sort clothes for the poor and for
children on mission felds. And they watched in amazement
on her last Christmas, when she was in the fnal stages of
cancer, as she left her home to visit her elderly friends at a
nursing home.
Although the world did not recognize her good works,
God did.
Her religion was pure and undefled before Him.
Dear Father, I want so much to do great things
for Youbut theres never time because Im so busy
caring for the needy around me. Please remind me that
greatness in Your eyes comes in humility and lowliness,
in caring for those who have affictions. Thank You for
the many opportunities You give me to serve.
TUESDAY
FEBRUARY 26
Red High Heels
Dont be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles,
expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves
instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty
of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.
1 PETER 3:34 NLT
Fashion gurus love to tell women what to wear. Many like
to recommend one pair of red shoespreferably sassy
high heelsto spice up a ladys wardrobe. Proponents
of the advice say having one special pair of shoes to wear
when feeling down or depressed can turn a womans
whole day around, making her feel beautiful and power-
ful.
While fashion trends are fun and we all want to look
well-groomed, we cant forget where true beauty and
power come from. Wasnt it Jesus who taught us not to
place our treasure in physical things like our bodies or
worry about where our clothes will come from? He prom-
ises to provide for us.
Shoes scuff, necklaces break, and fabric fades, but
true beauty starts from within. When we allow God to
dress our spirits in robes of love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-
control, our inner beauty will far outshine anything we
put on our physical bodies.
Dear Father, I want to be a woman whose inner
beauty far surpasses my outer beauty, so that when
people see me they are pointed to You
and rejoice in Your creation.
WEDNESDAY
FEBRUARY 27
Where Do You Take Refuge?
Be gracious, O God, for man has trampled upon me; fghting all day long
he oppresses me. My foes have trampled upon me all day long,
for they are many who fght proudly against me. When I am afraid,
I will put my trust in Thee. In God, whose word I praise, in God I have put
my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?
PSALM 56:14
When my father was away during World War II, my mom, sis-
ter, and I lived with my grandparents. At the time I was only
three years old or so. Frequently, Id hide under their long,
wooden porch, making my world a little smaller, I suppose.
Looking out through the latticed covering, somehow I felt
safe.
David wrote this psalm when the Philistines had seized
him in Gath. These Philistines had been enemies of the
Israelites for a long time. At one point theyd even stolen the
ark of the covenant. Theyd probably never forgiven David for
killing their giant, Goliath. I wonder if David refected during
his present predicament, remembering the time in his youth
when hed faced that giant with only fve smooth stones and
a sling. He had called upon his God to deliver him, and the
Lord had prevailed (1 Samuel 17:3750).
Where do you go for refuge? I run to the arms of my lov-
ing Father, just as David did in his own crisis. And He always
comes through.
O Lord, You alone are my refuge and strength.
Help me to come to You frst in a crisis.
THURSDAY
FEBRUARY 28
Microwave Fait?
And so after waiting patiently,
Abraham received what was promised.
HEBREWS 6:15 NIV
Pop a little bag into the microwave, and in two minutes
you have hot, delicious popcorn. Unfortunately, faith
doesnt always work the same way.
Imagine what Abraham wondered nine months
after his conversation with God. He had been promised
a son. Abraham believed God. His faith was credited to
him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6). Nine months later,
he was still waiting. Even nine years later, there was no
sign of the promised child. Each passing day brought an
opportunity for doubt. But Abraham considered him
faithful who had made the promise (Hebrews 11:11 NIV).
Abraham looked past the facts. He was not swayed by the
circumstances. He simply believed God and many years
later, received his son.
How many times have you given up on the promises
of God because circumstances told you something differ-
ent? Its not too late. Pick up your faith. Determine to see
those promises come to pass.
Heavenly Father, I thank You that You are faithful.
Your Word does not return void. I ask You to
forgive me for doubting You. I believe Your Word.
I praise You and glorify You in advance for the
promises You are bringing into my life.
FRIDAY
MARCH 1
It s All Good
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are the called according to his purpose.
ROMANS 8:28 KJV
Barren for life. A seventeen-year-old girl received news from
her doctor that she would never conceive children. Questions
fooded her mind: What guy would want to marry me? What
about my love of children? Yet amid the questions came a gentle
whisper: We know that all things work together for good to
them that love God (emphasis added). She didnt understand
how, but she trusted the Lord to fulfll His promise. He did.
Over the next thirty years, she became a wife, a mother, and a
grandmother.
God can and does use all things in our lives for His good
purpose. Remember Joseph in the cistern, Daniel in the lions
den, and Jesus on the cross? The Lord demonstrated His res-
urrection power in each of those cases. He does so in our lives
as well. He brings forth beauty from ashes.
What are you facing that seems impossible? What situ-
ation appears hopeless? What circumstance is overwhelm-
ing you? Believe Gods promise. It is easy to trust God when
things are going well. And when we choose to trust Him in
uncertain times, we receive a peace that gives us hope that
sustains us. We are not disappointed, because God always
keeps His promises. Our response is to trust Him.
Dear Lord, thank You that You work all things together
for Your good purpose. May I trust You to fulfll Your
purpose in my life. Amen.
SATURDAY
MARCH 2
Calmed by His Love
The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
ZEPHANIAH 3:17 ESV
What is causing you unrest today? Inadequacy? Lack of
strength? Poor fnances?
God wants you to know that He is with you. He sees
your circumstances, your concerns, your worries. And He
wants you to know that Hes the mighty One who will
save you. He is rejoicing over you with gladness, exulting
over you with loud singing. Why?
Because He loves you. And He wants to wrap you
in His love thats like a thick comforter on a cold winter
evening. He wants us to rest in His love. For only His love
can calm the fear that hinders you from doing what Hes
tasked you to do.
Gods love sent His Son to die for you, that you might
receive everything you need pertaining to life and godli-
ness. His love enables you to keep on going even when
youre ready to give up. His love allows you to rest, to gain
strength, to be still in the midst of the storm that is raging
all around you. The waters will not rise enough to drown
you, nor will the raging fre consume you.
Father, I thank You for the gift of Your love.
It calms me, it soothes me, it gives me peace
in the middle of the storm. Please fll me
with Your love and peace today.
SUNDAY
MARCH 3
When Everyone in Heaven Rejoices
Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not
light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she fnds it?
And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors,
saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!
In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels
of God over one sinner who repents.
LUKE 15:810
This Scripture brings back a certain trip to the beach. As my
husband and I were about to relax in our travel trailer at a
California beach, I realized I had misplaced my expensive sun-
glasses. Frantically retracing my steps, I hunted through both
the trailer and the car. We even called the AAA offce where
we had made a quick stop to secure a few maps. However, the
sunglasses never materialized.
How ecstatic this woman was to fnd this missing coin
shed considered lost forever. When a young girl in Israel
married she began wearing a headband containing ten silver
coins. This band carried the same signifcance as our modern
wedding rings. To lose one would have been nothing short of a
catastrophe.
Jesus compared the womans deep joy to the celebration
that goes on in heaven when a sinner repents and Son-
beams of peace fnally food into the soul. Its the feeling of
wholeness a person hungers for all her life.
Lord, I am grateful that Your Word has penetrated the
core of my own heart. Hallelujah!
MONDAY
MARCH 4
Commitment Challenges
Remember me for this, my God, and do not blot out what I have so
faithfully done for the house of my God and its services.
NEHEMIAH 13:14 TNIV
Have you ever sacrifced precious leisure hours to serve
on a church committee, count offerings, or weed church
fower beds? Despite your work and home schedule, you
agree to co-teach Bible schoolonly to receive a phone
call the night before from your partner. She has decided
to go on vacation instead! Now, surrounded by hyper kin-
dergarteners, you wonder what you did to deserve this.
Nehemiah felt the same way. A governor during Old
Testament times, he spearheaded the rebuilding of Jeru-
salems broken walls, then spent years encouraging his
countrymen to worship Yahweh. He organized priests and
Levites and served as a spiritual lay leader. He managed
the practical affairs of the temple, including schedules,
payments, and distributions. Nehemiah fought enemies,
settled internal squabbles andandand! His days never
seemed long enough. He grew discouraged when trusted
fellow workers in Gods house placed their priorities else-
where. Between crises, Nehemiah took a deep breath and
prayed the above prayer.
More than twenty-fve hundred years later, God tells
the story of Nehemiahs perseverance in the Bible. Like
you, Nehemiah may not have seen his reward as soon as
he wanted. But now he is enjoying it forever.
So will you.
Lord Jesus, when I feel tired and unappreciated as
I serve others, let Your applause be enough for me.
TUESDAY
MARCH 5
Think Big
For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way
you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think.
ISAIAH 55:9 MSG
Anne heard a missionary speak at church, and a dream to
serve in China was born in her heart. After graduation from
high school, she would go.
But World War I began and kept her dream on hold. She
began a teaching career that spanned the years until she
retired at sixty-fve. On the day of her retirement, she flled
out an application to serve as a missionary, but was rejected
because of her age. Undecided about her future, she packed
her car and drove north to a small town in need of a teacher.
Anne continued to pray about her hearts desire. In the
late 60s, an age discrimination bill was passed. Anne flled
out the form to become a missionary and went to China. She
had a big dreamone large enough for God to fll.
We should dream big and ask God for direction in life.
We humans are impatient and want what we want right now.
But our Father in heaven knows better. He has created a
world that unfolds according to His timetable.
We must dream, think big, and wait for God to reveal the
plan. Hes in control.
Dear Lord, You know my hearts desire. Help me to wait
upon Your answer for my life. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
MARCH 6
Our Prayer Requests
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning
I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
PSALM 5:3 NIV
When my children were young the only way I could
ensure having a special quiet time of prayer was to get up
earlier than anyone else in the house. On weekdays this
translated to 5:30 A.M. Settled into one particular chair, I
read my Bible and then prayed for each member of our
family. Although I never made a big deal about this habit,
occasionally the kids would catch a glimpse of me there
as they began their own busy days.
On Sunday evenings I would ask my husband and
children for any particular things theyd like me to pray
about that week. Such concerns as tests, projects, or
schoolwork that were due, and once in a while class bullies
or teachers were voiced. (Whenever teachers came up, I
fgured my child had been given a great deal of homework
and resented it.)
Often in the morning Id fnd little folded notes on
my prayer chair. Now that our children are raised, I wish
Id saved some of those crumpled last-minute additions
always written on notebook paper. But I do have memories
of the celebrating we did when one of those prayers was
answered.
Are you laying your own requests before the Lord?
Lord, I wander around like those who have
no hope, forgetting to ask You for wise solutions
to my dilemmas. Help me remember to come
to You before I start my day.
THURSDAY
MARCH 7
Financial Strain
No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one
and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise
the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
MATTHEW 6:24 NIV
Do you ever get nervous when you watch the news and see
reports about the stock market? Does your head spin when
you see the prices rise at the gas pump? Can you feel your
heart race when you look at your bills in comparison to your
bank statement? Even though many of our day-to-day activi-
ties depend on money, its important to remember that money
is not a provider or sustainer. Only God can provide for you
and sustain you. When we begin to focus on and worry about
money, then we are telling God that we dont trust Him.
As you feel yourself start to worry about money, stop and
change your focus from wealth to God. Thank Him for what
He has provided for you and then humbly ask Him to give
you wisdom about your fnancial situation. Be at peace as you
remember that you can absolutely trust God to provide for
you and to sustain you.
Dear God, help me not to worry but to trust
that You will provide for me. Help me to be
devoted to You only. Amen.
FRIDAY
MARCH 8
A Discerning Woman
Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning
and even among fools she lets herself be known.
PROVERBS 14:33 NIV
Dorothy, a precious older woman, faithfully attended my
Bible study group each week despite the fact that she
suffered from congestive heart failure. She was the kind
of person one treasured as a gift, knowing the time with
her would be all too brief. She shared the contents of her
heart freely, no longer restricted behind the confning
walls of decorum. From her perspective, the word cherish
didnt exist in her husbands vocabulary.
We would pray and cry together over the grief her
marriage had caused her soul. And then shed sit and play
a beautiful hymn on the piano. This is the way the Lord
ministered to her pain. Confdent of her eternal destina-
tion, she exuded serenity, wisdom, peace, and love. And the
Lord called her home that year because He valued her tre-
mendously. Shes buried in a cemetery near my house and
I smile when I pass by, knowing shes found a refuge where
the music never stops and people never cry.
Todays proverb says that wisdom reposes in the
heart of the discerning. How well Dorothy understood
this. And although she couldnt change her husbands
heart, her own was flled with wisdom. Shed learned the
art of holding life like a kite, giving it enough room to foat
freely and then watching as it returned to her.
Lord, everyone has a cross to bear.
But because You bore Calvarys cross for me,
I have the hope of eternal life.
SATURDAY
MARCH 9
Release te Music Witin
Those who are wise will fnd a time and a way to do what is right.
ECCLESIASTES 8:5 NLT
Miss Lilly is a talented woman. Without the luxury of tak-
ing one lesson, she plays the violin with grace and ease. Her
oil paintings exude warmth, character, and charm. And her
ability to retain information would challenge a twenty-year-
old college student. But in her eighty years, Lilly has merely
dabbled in the gifts God has entrusted to her.
Never had the time, and too late to start! she insists, as
she discusses her unfulflled dreams and what she would do
differently if she could do it all over again. So her talents
are undeveloped, unused, and unappreciated by a world
waiting for Lillys God-given abilities to touch, bless, and stir
them.
It has been said that many people go to their graves with
their music still in them. Do you carry a song within your
heart, waiting to be heard?
Whether we are eight or eighty, it is never too late to sur-
render our hopes and dreams to God. A wise woman trusts
that God will help her fnd the time and manner in which to
use her talents for His glory as she seeks His direction.
Let the music begin.
Dear Lord, my music is fading against the constant
beat of a busy pace. I surrender my gifts to You and
pray for the time and manner in which I can use
those gifts to touch my world. Amen.
SUNDAY
MARCH 10
Gods Foolishness Is Mans Wisdom
For the foolishness of God is wiser than mans wisdom,
and the weakness of God is stronger than mans strength.
Cindy reached a fork in the road, facing a troubling deci-
sion about a choice she needed to make. Which was the
right path? She felt a vagueness and an uncertainty about
what to do.
Finally, after time in prayer, she felt the Holy Spirits
prompting to move forward. The choice she felt led to
make didnt entirely make sensebut she decided to fol-
low the prompting anyway. Only afterward, as she looked
back, did she realize God had mysteriously guided her to
the right decision.
This is faith in God. Sometimes, Hell lead us to act
contrary to common sense. Did it make sense to have
Jesus Christ die for our sins? How could a man, hang-
ing on a cross outside Jerusalem, take away our sins? Its
foolishness. Impossible!
But with God, all things are possible. He asks us to
simply take Him at His Wordand we have plenty of
evidence, both biblical and in our own lives, that shows us
we can believe Him.
Believing God can seem like foolishnessat least in
the worlds eyesbut we know the deep peace that comes
with that decision.
Lord, teach me to pray and to listen for
Your guidance. I thank You that You go before
me in every choice, even the confusing ones!
I can move forward with confdence,
knowing You are with me.
MONDAY
MARCH 11
Reach Out
But people who arent spiritual cant receive these truths from Gods Spirit.
It all sounds foolish to them and they cant understand it, for only those
who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.
1 CORINTHIANS 2:14 NLT
Imagine yourself visiting France but unable to speak the lan-
guage. Everywhere you go, people are conversing in a tongue
that you cannot decipher. Although youre lost, asking for
directions seems useless. You drive around aimlessly, con-
fused by street signs that dont make sense. People honk as
you enter the exits and yell as you navigate the roundabouts.
Even though youre trying your hardest, the French judge you
as an idiot.
In the same way, unbelievers may feel confused trying to
navigate the unfamiliar territory of spiritual truth. They dont
have the ability to understand it because they dont have the
Holy Spirit as a teacher to guide them. The Bible may not
make sense to them, but dont be quick to judge. Hope isnt
lost!
God likely has placed unbelievers in your life that He
wants you to reach out to. Share your faith with them in
words and actions they can understand. Pray the Lord opens
their hearts to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. Then the
Holy Spirit will dwell with them, giving them the ability to
comprehend spiritual truth. Pray that these lost tourists will
fnd Jesus soon!
Dear Lord, help me not judge those that dont know
You. Instead, may I pray that You intercede
to show them the way. Amen.
TUESDAY
MARCH 12
Weary Days
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou
disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him
for the help of his countenance. O my God, my soul is cast
down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the
land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
PSALM 42:56 KJV
Its easy for lifes responsibilities and commitments to
drag us down. Each day seems like a repeat of the day
before. The morning alarm becomes our enemy, and the
snooze button becomes our considerate companion. Our
hard work often goes unappreciated. Nothing feels ac-
complished. Our soul yearns for something more.
If we accept it, Gods constant goodness can be our
delight. In the mornings, instead of our groaning and
hiding beneath the pillows, God desires for us to com-
municate with Him. His voice could be the frst one that
we hear each day. As we roll over and stretch, we can then
say, I love You, God. Thank You for another day of life.
Our willingness to speak with God at the days begin-
ning shows our dependence on Him. We cant make it
alone. It is a comforting truth that God never intended for
us to trek through the hours unaccompanied. He prom-
ises to be with us. He also promises His guidance and
direction as we meet people and receive opportunities to
serve Him.
Getting started is as simple as removing our head
from beneath the pillows and telling God good morning.
Lord, refresh my spirit and give me
joy for todays activities. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
MARCH 13
The Gift of Manna
They asked, and He brought quail,
and satisfed them with the bread of heaven.
PSALM 105:40
Who wouldnt welcome the delivery of free bread on their
doorstep each morning? Well, the Israelites had it made and
they still complained. Same old, same old, theyd have cried
out in todays vernacular. A one-day supply of this sticky,
white, honey-favored nourishment, called manna, covered
the ground each morning. After gathering it, the Israelites
ground it between two millstones or beat it with a mortar,
boiled it in the pot, and made cakes with it. The taste was
similar to cakes baked with oil (Numbers 11:8).
However, after forty years, the thought of waking up to
this substance didnt exactly entice one to crawl out of their
tent in anticipation.
After repeated complaints, God gave the Israelites some
quail to eat (Numbers 11:31). No matter how God cared for
them, the Israelites found something to criticize.
Another life-giving bread is symbolically offered to us
under the new covenant. Jesus said, I am the living bread
that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread,
he shall live forever; and the bread also which I shall give for
the life of the world is My fesh (John 6:51). Christ Himself
compared the two breads: This is the bread which came
down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate, and died, he who
eats this bread shall live forever (John 6:58).
Lord, I long to live forever
in Your glorious presence.
THURSDAY
MARCH 14
Restoration
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth
me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul.
PSALM 23:23 KJV
Dumb, helpless, straying sheep. The fuffy creatures dont
know any better than to wander away from the herd and
get tangled in underbrush. The animals need a shepherd
who acts in their best interest and protects them from
harm.
Thats ussheep. We wander away from the fold and
get caught in the underbrush of the world. We leave the
fock and become tired, hungry, and thirsty. Our wander-
ing ways leave us sick in mind, spirit, and body.
We need the Good ShepherdJesus. He searches
for us when we go astray. He pulls us out of the pits weve
fallen into. He removes the thorns from our hides. During
the heat of tribulation, He places us in His shadow where
we can rest. He slakes our thirst with His living water, the
Holy Spirit. He restores our souls. We know His voice and
follow Him.
God watches over us day and night, no matter where
we are. He tends our wounds, guards us, and builds us
back up for the challenges of life. When we are lost, we
need only listen for the voice of our Shepherd.

Lord, my Shepherd, I shall not want. Teach me to
lie still in Your green pastures and drink of Your
quiet waters. Please restore my soul.
FRIDAY
MARCH 15
Mutual Delight Society
He brought me forth also into a large place:
he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
2 SAMUEL 22:20 KJV
Did you know you are part of a mutual delight society? If
youre a Christian, God delights in you, and you delight in
Him, too (Psalm 37:4). Over and over, scripture refers to this
two-sided enjoyment. How could anyone, believer or not, have
missed it?
Sadly, non-Christians dont understand this mutual-delight
organization. They think Christians spend their time moping
and complaining or sitting in church. All they can see are the
things Christians dont do and no longer enjoy or the things
they, as unbelievers, wouldnt like doing. The faithless miss
out on the larger picture: Sin is no longer fun for those who
delight in God. Its more wonderful to live for Him than engage
in the sin.
If a sliver of the light of Christian joy pierces the unbe-
lievers lives, Satan blocks it so they cant see what they might
be missing. He cant let them know that loving God can be
fun!
The woman who delights in God has God delighting in
her, too. His plans for her future are beautiful because she has
experienced His salvation. No good thing will He deny her
(though her defnition of a good thing and His may differ at
times).
Do you delight in God? Then share the news. Help others
join this mutual delight society today.
Thank You, Lord, for inviting me
to share Your delights. Amen.
SATURDAY
MARCH 16
Vocalizing a Prayer
And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition,
as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they
will be heard for their many words.
MATTHEW 6:7
Remember kneeling beside your bed and praying when
you were a kid? Why did it all seem so simple then? We
just talked to God like He was really there and kept our
requests short and simple.
Then, as you got older, the lengthy and spiritual
prayers of the older saints became intimidating. So,
wheres the balance? Reading a little further in this pas-
sage from Matthew, at verse 9, Jesus gives us His own ex-
ample for prayer. If you can remember the acrostic ACTS,
youll have an excellent formula for prayer: Adoration,
Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.
As we come before the Lord we frst need to honor
Him as Creator, Master, Savior, and Lord. Refect on who
He is and praise Him. And because were human we need
to confess and repent of our daily sins. Following this we
should be in a mode of thanksgiving. Finally, our prayer
requests should be upheld. My usual order for requests
is self, family members, and lifes pressing issues. Keep-
ing a prayer journal allows for a written record of Gods
answers.
Your prayers certainly dont have to be elaborate or
polished. God does not judge your way with words. He
knows your heart. He wants to hear from You.
Lord, Your Word says that my prayers rise up to
heaven like incense from the earth. Remind me
daily to send a sweet savor Your way!
SUNDAY
MARCH 17
ST. PATRICKS DAY
Answered Prayer
Delight yourself in the LORD;
and He will give you the desires of your heart.
PSALM 37:4
Sometimes our heartfelt prayers receive a yes from God.
Sometimes, its a no. At other times, we get back only a not
yet.
Have you heard anyone quote todays scripture, saying
that God will give us the desires of our hearts? Some believe
the verse means that a Christian can ask for anythinghealth,
money, possessions, you name itand get exactly what she
wants. But this passage actually teaches something much
deeper.
Note the frst part of Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the
LORD. A woman who truly delights herself in the Lord will
naturally have the desires of her heartbecause her heart
desires only God and His will.
Our Father takes no pleasure in the things of this world
things that will all wither and die. Neither should we.
So what pleases God? He loves it when we witness for
Him, live right, and instruct others in His Word. If those are
things that we also truly desire, wont He grant us the desires
of our heart and let us see people brought into the kingdom?
Wont we have a life rich in spiritual growth?
Lord, please help me see where my desires
are not in line with Your willso that the
things that I pursue are only and always
according to Your own desires.
MONDAY
MARCH 18
Protecting Angels
For he will command his angels concerning
you to guard you in all your ways.
PSALM 91:11 NIV
The SUV was completely totaled after being rear-ended
by a semitruck. After fipping end over end, the SUV
landed upright. Mangled pieces from the vehicle were
scattered along the highway.
It was hard to imagine anyone surviving in such an
accident, but the fve occupantsa husband and wife and
their three granddaughterswalked away from the scene
with minor injuries.
Have you ever experienced a miraculous accident like
this? It wasnt luck that kept you safe; it was the protect-
ing hands of Gods angels watching over and keeping you
safe, just as the angels did for the family in the SUV.
Take great comfort in knowing that God loves you
so much that you are being guarded and protected by an
elite group of heavenly host.
Dear Lord, no matter where I go, in my heart I
always know that Your angels are with me night
and day, keeping me safe in every way. Amen.
TUESDAY
MARCH 19
Music in te Morning
It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to
Thy name, O Most High; to declare Thy lovingkindness in the
morning, and Thy faithfulness by night, with the ten-stringed lute, and
with the harp; with resounding music upon the lyre. For Thou,
O LORD, hast made me glad by what Thou hast done, I will sing
for joy at the works of Thy hands.
PSALM 92:14
Its spring! Pollen is in the air and, thanks to the regeneration
of life, multiplying rapidly! When Im stuck working inside,
glued to my computer chair, I hunger for some melodious
tunes to bolster my sagging spirit.
This particular psalm was actually written for a Sabbath
celebration. If you ever attend a Messianic service, youll dis-
cover that believers in Yeshua (Jesus Hebrew name) defnitely
have the market cornered on celebrating. They sing, dance, and
rejoice in fnding their Savior. Its the kind of merriment God
designed for us to enjoy with Him. And its probably the closest
reenactment of heavenly worship youll fnd on this earth.
Interspersed among all those begats that bog us down
in the book of Genesis theres a whos who of professions.
Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell
in tents and have livestock. And his brothers name was Jubal;
he was the father of those who play the lyre and pipe (Genesis
4:2021). It seems the human family has found joy in music
since almost the beginning of time.
Lord, thank You for music and the way it uplifts my
spirits. No matter what time of day or season,
I rejoice in worshiping You.
WEDNESDAY
MARCH 20
FIRST DAY OF SPRING
Powerful One
He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals his
thoughts to man, he who turns dawn to darkness, and treads the
high places of the earththe LORD God Almighty is his name.
AMOS 4:13 NIV
Ever pondered the power of our Lord God Almighty?
Meditating on Gods power can soothe our biggest wor-
ries and calm our deepest fears.
The Word of God speaks often of His powerwe
know He created our universe in less than a week. But if
thats too much to comprehend, consider the enormity
of a single mountain or ocean. Those vast, mighty things
came into being simply by Gods voiceand theyre only
a tiny fraction of everything He made. What power!
The Lord opens the morning curtains to reveal the
dawn and pulls the sky shades back at night to bring
darkness. He plots the course of the wind, arranges for
rainfall, and causes grass, crops, and trees to grow. He
feeds the gigantic whales of the ocean, and every tiny
little bird. If our Lord has enough knowledge and power
to handle these jobs, surely He can (and will!) look after
us.
Problems that seem insurmountable to us are simply
a breath to Him. Lets not be anxious todayGod holds
each one of us in the palm of His hand.
Lord God, You are my provider. Thank You for
holding such powerand for choosing me to be
Your child. Please give me a greater understanding
of who You are, helping me to remember that You,
the Lord God Almighty, love me.
THURSDAY
MARCH 21
Simply Silly
A cheerful disposition is good for your health.
PROVERBS 17:22 MSG
Jeanne Calmont died at the age of 122, after outliving twenty-
seven French presidents, and entered the Guinness Book of
World Records as the worlds oldest woman. When asked the
secret of her longevity, she replied, Laughter!
Its a scientifcally proven fact that laughter lowers blood
pressure and strengthens the immune system. It helps
overcome depression. In short, laughter is good medicine. A
spoonful each day will add much to our lives.
Paul had so much joy that he sang and won his jailers to
Christ. Imagine the effect we could have on our world today if
our countenance refected the joy of the Lord all of the time:
at work, at home, at play. Jesus said, I have told you this so
that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete
(John 15:11 NIV).
Is your cup of joy full? Have you laughed today? Not a
small smile, but laughter. Maybe its time we looked for some-
thing to laugh about and tasted joy. Jesus suggested it.
Lord, help me fnd joy this day. Let me laugh and give
praises to the King. Amen.
FRIDAY
MARCH 22
Finding te Messiah
He found frst his own brother, Simon, and said to him,
We have found the Messiah (which translated means Christ).
JOHN 1:41
Ill never forget the day that I accepted Jesus Christ as
my Savior. Id been drawn to church twice that day, aware
that my soul ached for peace. So many Christians had
told me that all I needed to do was pray and ask Christ
into my life. But that seemed overly simplistic. How
could this action change my life?
A short time before, while recovering from a compres-
sion fracture in my back, I began attending a Bible study.
Now those Scriptures Id heard there began to come back
to me. It wasnt a matter of reciting words. Instead, asking
Christ into my life meant being willing to trade all the emp-
tiness and estrangement within my soul for the complete-
ness that He alone could provide.
At the age of twenty-nine, on Fathers Day, I prayed
to receive Christ, relinquishing control of my life to the
Lord.
Andrew, speaking in todays Scripture, also found the
Messiah and couldnt wait to tell his brother, Peter. Thats
how we all feel when Gods light is at last turned on in-
side the dungeon of our souls.
How blessed for Andrew that his brother responded
and they shared the love of the Lord together. In many
families this never happens. Perhaps in reading this you
understand what it means to be ridiculed because of your
faith in Christ.
Lord, I pray for strength to share Your
love with unbelieving family members.
SATURDAY
MARCH 23
Action-Figure Easter
We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell
the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD.
PSALM 78:4 NLT
Michelle opened the big picture Bible to Jesus donkey-riding
entry into Jerusalem and smiled down at her children busy as-
sembling their props. Seven-year-old Michael spread palmetto
fronds across the toothpick road hed carefully laid across
the living room carpet. Five-year-old Kyla mounted the Jesus
doll on My Little Pony and began the trek down the winding
path amid cries of Hosanna! from her dad, who had lined a
battalion of green army men along the roadside. Toddler Josh
clutched the round pillow that was to become the stone rolled
in front of the shoe-box tomb after Jesus crucifxion on a cross
formed from pencils rubber-banded together.
The Good Friday tradition of acting out the Easter
week story had begun when Michael was in diapers and had
evolved into a much-anticipated family production. A real
Jesus doll had been purchased, but the rest of the cast was
assembledwith much imaginationfrom the toy box. As
Michelle read the Easter story aloud, beginning with Palm
Sunday and ending with Jesus glorious resurrection, the chil-
dren acted out each scene.
Michelle treasured her childrens delight each Easter
morning when they sprang from their beds to fnd the grave
handkerchief discarded and Jesus miraculously sitting atop
the shoe-box tomb, His little plastic arms raised triumphantly
in the air.
Risen Savior, help us use every opportunity to instill
in our children the marvelous truths of our faith,
so that Your love may be as a precious heirloom
to future generations. Amen.
SUNDAY
MARCH 24
PALM SUNDAY
Anxious Anticipations
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have
learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
PHILIPPIANS 4:11 NIV
Have you ever been so eager for the future that you forgot
to be thankful for the present day?
We anxiously await the weekend, our next vacation,
retirement, or some other future event. Maybe were eager
to start a new chapter in our life because weve been frus-
trated with our current responsibilities.
Those of us who have raised children have felt a simi-
lar pull. We looked ahead to their frst steps, their school
days, their weddings. In all the daily responsibilities, we
sometimes wished the kids would just grow up. Then
they didand we missed those little ones and their mis-
chievous antics, wishing we could turn back the clock.
Humans have a tendency to complain about the
problems and irritations of life. Its much less natural to
appreciate the good things we haveuntil theyre gone.
While its fne to look forward to the future, lets remem-
ber to refect on all of todays blessingsthe large and the
smalland appreciate all that we do have.
Thank You, Lord, for the beauty of today. Please
remind me when I become preoccupied with the
future and forget to enjoy the present.
MONDAY
MARCH 25
The Passover Lamb
Slay the Passover lamb. And take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood
which is in the basin, and apply some of the blood that is in the basin to the
lintel and the two doorposts; and none of you shall go outside of his house until
morning. For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He
sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over
the door and will not allow the destroyer to come to your houses to smite you.
EXODUS 12:2123
This Scripture passage paints a comprehensive picture of the
Passover.
Each year this symbolic Passover meal is re-created. The
man of the house reads Exodus 12:14. Then his wife puts on
her head covering and lights two candles. Using circular mo-
tions with her hands above the candles, she then closes her
eyes and says a specifc prayer.
Four cups of wine or grape juice represent sanctifcation,
the cup of plagues (visited on Egypt), the cup of redemption
by Messiah, and the cup of praise to God as the King of the
Universe.
Other symbols include parsley, which represents produce,
likened to Israel as a seed and growing to maturity; a hidden
matzoh bread, denoting Christ in the tomb; the shank bone of
the Passover lamb; bitter herbs, commemorating their slavery;
and karoset, an apple mixture akin to the mortar of the bricks
they made in Egypt as slaves.
We can celebrate the Passover with joy and thanksgiving,
knowing for certain that the long-awaited Messiah has come,
and will come again!
Lord Jesus Christ, I thank You for being my promised
Messiah and Passover Lamb. I thank You for Your
sacrifce so that my sins could be forgiven.
TUESDAY
MARCH 26
PASSOVER BEGINS AT SUNDOWN
Refreshing Gift
For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because
the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.
PHILEMON 1:7 NKJV
Unsure whether she could continue in the race, the
woman looked ahead. A small stand wasnt far down the
road. She could see the line of cups at the edge of the
tabledrinks set out to refresh the runners. The sight en-
couraged her enough to give her the needed confdence
to fnish the race.
Encouragement is a wonderful gift. Simple gestures
mean so much to those around us. We dont have to make
big, splashy scenes to give someone a boost. Our smile
can lift someone who is discouraged. A sincere thank-you
or a quick hug conveys a wealth of love, gratitude, and
appreciation. We all have the opportunity to make small
overtures to those around us.
Jesus always took the time for those who reached out
to Him. In a crowd of people, He stopped to help a woman
who touched Him. His quiet love extended to everyone
who asked, whether verbally or with unspoken need.
God brings people into our path who need our en-
couragement. We must consider those around us. Smile
and thank the waitress, the cashier, the people who help
in small ways. Cheering others can have the effect of an
energizing drink of water so that they will be able to fn-
ish the race with a smile.
Jesus, thank You for being an example of how to
encourage and refresh others. Help me to see their
need and to be willing to reach out. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
MARCH 27
Give It All
Jesus looked him hard in the eyeand loved him! He said,
Theres one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor.
All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me.
The mans face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected
to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding
on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go.
MARK 10:2122 MSG
It wasnt the response the rich young ruler wanted to hear.
Things usually went his way. His position and prestige af-
forded him that.
But these straightforward, piercing words, blended with
the love in Jesus eyes, troubled the mans soul. It just was too
much. He understood just what was being asked of himev-
erything! The pain in his heart was refected on his face and
in his posture as he slumped away. The truth was, this ruler
was not ready to relinquish his all for Jesus.
What has Christ asked you to let go of? What are you
holding tightly to? Most of us dont have great wealth (we
might wish for that kind of problem), but are we willing to
give up what we do have to serve Him?
Outwardly, we may look fne. But inwardly? Are our mo-
tives pure? Do we have an underground thought life? Is
there anger bubbling beneath our calm surface?
The stresses of caregiving can bring such trouble spots to
light in our lives. Today lets face the truth of exactly who we
are and give up those things that prevent us from wholeheart-
edly serving Jesus.
Lord, show me what I need to relinquish to You. Help me
to abandon everything to freely and joyfully serve You.
THURSDAY
MARCH 28
What Is Written on Your Heart ?
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
. . . Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
DEUTERONOMY 6:6, 9 NIV
In many Jewish homes today, there is a small container
attached to the doorway. Inside the box is a tiny scroll
containing the words of Deuteronomy 6:9. This is known
as a mezuzah and serves as a tangible reminder of Gods
ancient covenant with the Israelites and His desire to
have frst place in their lives.
In the Old Testament, Gods law was written on
scrolls and passed down from generation to generation.
In the New Testament, we learn that Jesus both fulflled
the old covenant and introduced a new covenant. This
new covenant is written on our hearts (see Hebrews
10:16). Gods Word is our scroll and it confrms the truths
that He has already written on our hearts through the
Holy Spirit. In spite of this, we sometimes forget.
What are some practical ways you can remind your-
self, each day, of the truth of Gods Word? Copy verses on
index cards to carry with you, or better yet, commit them
to memory. Listen to the Bible on tape or to songs com-
posed from scripture. Whatever you do, always be looking
for fresh ways to remember the truth that God has writ-
ten on your heart.
Father, thank You for writing Your truth upon my
heart. Help me to look for tangible reminders of
Your truth. Amen.
FRIDAY
MARCH 29
GOOD FRIDAY
Look Around
Come and see the works of God;
He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men.
PSALM 66:5 NKJV
We tend to think of encouragement as coming in the way of
cards, phone calls, gifts, or efforts performed on our behalf.
Isnt it wonderful how God uses people to encourage us? But
when the cards or calls dont come, were wise to look at the
other ways God can send us encouragement.
First, He uplifts us through His Word. Just by reading the
Bible, were reminded of the grace and love God has for us.
Then theres His creation. Watching a bird fy, seeing a squir-
rel scramble up a tree, and observing a beautiful fower or a
wonderful sunrise are just a few ways God reminds us of His
power. Encouragement can also be found by remembering
what God has done for us.
If its been a while since you received a phone call, visit,
or card, dont grow discouraged, thinking that God isnt aware
of your needs. Hes creative in His encouragementjust take
the time to look for it.
Dear God, I thank You for all the ways You encourage
me. May I not overlook Your blessings because they
didnt come in the form I expected.
SATURDAY
MARCH 30
Jesus Prepares His Disciples
And He took the twelve aside and said to them, Behold we are going
up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets
about the Son of Man will be accomplished. For He will be delivered
up to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon,
and after they have scourged Him, they will kill Him;
and the third day He will rise again.
LUKE 18:3133
As you read todays Scripture youve probably either just
celebrated Easter or are anticipating this solemn season
of remembrance of Christs sacrifce on Calvarys cross.
Jesus had traveled with the Twelve, eaten meals with
them, spoken of what it meant to truly abide in God, and
lived out a sinless life before them. Now His time on earth
drew to its inevitable close. Jesus began preparing His
disciples for the time Hed be gone from them. He needed
to help them accept His death, understand the reason for
it, and strengthen them for all this would mean once they
could no longer be with Him face-to-face.
In these last days, did they ponder the precious words
He spoke at their last supper together? I glorifed Thee
on earth, having accomplished the work which Thou hast
given Me to do. I manifested Thy name to the men whom
Thou gavest Me out of the world; Thine they were, and
thou gavest them to Me, and they have kept Thy word
(John 17:4, 6). What is Jesus saying to you?
Lord, I know the days ahead may be diffcult.
Help me realize, like the disciples,
that You are always with me, to the end.
SUNDAY
MARCH 31
EASTER SUNDAY
Thinking of Oters
Do nothing out of selfsh ambition or vain conceit, but in humility
consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look
not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
PHILIPPIANS 2:34 NIV
The apostle Paul, along with Timothy, founded the church at
Philippi. Pauls relationship with this church was always close.
The book of Philippians is a letter he wrote to this church
while he was imprisoned for preaching the gospel.
Paul knew the Philippians had been struggling with jeal-
ousy and rivalry. He encouraged them in his letter to think of
others. He reminded them that this was the attitude of Jesus,
who took on the role of a servant and humbled Himself for
us, even to His death on the cross.
In the fnal chapter of Philippians, we read the well-
known verse that says, I can do everything through him who
gives me strength (Philippians 4:13 NIV). We can do every-
thing through Christ Jesus who gives us strength. That in-
cludes putting others before ourselves. That includes replac-
ing I deserve. . . with How can I serve?
When you start to look out for number one, remember
that your God is looking out for you. You are His precious
daughter. As you allow Him to take care of you, it will free
up space in your heart and allow you to look to the needs of
others.
Father, You have made me to be a part
of something much larger than myself.
Focus my attention on those around me
and not only on my own needs. Amen.
MONDAY
APRIL 1
Wimps for Jesus?
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned
out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
HEBREWS 12:1213 KJV
Gods discipline sometimes leaves us feeling limpand
not too bright.
How could I do such a thing? Why didnt I stop to
think, read the Bible, and pray about the situation?
All Christians live through these humbling experiences,
because we all make mistakessometimes big ones.
Washed up and wiped out, we wonder why Jesus both-
ers with us. We want to give up. Satan would like nothing
better. Whats the use? he whispers. Youve embar-
rassed yourself and God, and theres no way you will ever
hold up your head again. We let our Bibles gather dust
and stop going to church. When we see other Christians
around town, we hide! We also fnd ourselves spending
time and energy in paths that aggravate our pain rather
than heal it.
As always, God presents better solutions for our
problems. He disciplines us for the same reason a mother
corrects her children: out of love. Ultimately, parents want
their kids to lead healthy, productive lives. How can we
think God wants any less for us?
Lord Jesus, You gave Your life that I might be
healed of my sin and weakness. Please help me to
obey You, trusting that You know what
Youre doing in my life.
TUESDAY
APRIL 2
Knowing Gods Precepts
Teach me Thy statutes. Make me understand the way of Thy precepts,
so I will meditate on Thy wonders. My soul weeps because of grief;
strengthen me according to Thy word. Remove the false way from me,
and graciously grant me Thy law.
PSALM 119:2629
Have you ever felt as if youve reached the end of the road and
the only choice ahead of you is a brick wall? When you reach
that point the only remedy is to look up! God is waiting for you
to come to your senses.
In these verses we learn the principles that can set things
right. The frst, revival, occurs when we truly seek the Lord
with all our hearts. Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk, rec-
ognized that the precepts he learned from studying the Scrip-
tures didnt mesh with the teachings of the Roman Catholic
Church. Therefore, in 1517, he openly stated his objections to
the Catholic Church by nailing his Ninety-fve Theses to the
door of the church at Wittenberg. This began the revival that
led to the formation of the Protestant church.
Confession of sin is the beginning of true hope. For when
we acknowledge that weve failed, God can use our broken
and contrite heart, through the Holy Spirit, to mold us anew.
Understand and walk in the way of the precepts by medi-
tating on Gods Word. If youre not participating in an in-
depth Bible study, consider fnding or starting one.
Lord, teach me Your ways, that I might live out Your
precepts before my family and loved ones.
WEDNESDAY
APRIL 3
Wish List
But they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord,
thou Son of David. And Jesus stood still, and called them,
and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
MATTHEW 20:3132 KJV
The two blind men heard that Jesus was passing by. They
called out a generic plea. Have mercy on us!
The man they addressed as Lord and Son of David
stopped in His tracks. He responded with a simple ques-
tion: What do you want?
Wasnt it obvious? Jesus knew their thoughts and
what their hearts desired. But that wasnt enough. They
had to verbalize their request: We want our sightthe
one thing they could not receive without divine interven-
tion. Jesus answered their prayer by opening their eyes
and they responded by following Him.
God wants us to bring specifc needs to Him. Do you
need a job? Tell Him how much salary you need, what
kind of work you like to do, and where you want to com-
mute. Do you need a new home? Tell Him exactly what
youd like.
God doesnt need us to tell Him our desires. He
already knows them. But He delights in going above and
beyond what we can ask for. He loves to demonstrate His
lavish love. Even if He doesnt give us what we want, its
because He has something better in store.
God wants us to bring the wishes of our hearts to
Him in prayer.
Heavenly Father, I thank You that You care
about the smallest details of my life.
Teach me the joy of specifc prayer.
THURSDAY
APRIL 4
Running on Empty
I have observed something else under the sun.
The fastest runner doesnt always win the race,
and the strongest warrior doesnt always win the battle.
Jan struggled to be the best at everything she tried. She
worked harder than anyone in her offce, joined nearly every
ministry at her church, taught wonderful Bible studies, and
gave the best parties of anyone in her womens group. She
cooked better, dressed better, kept a better home, and was
never seen in public without her game face on.
There was only one problem. Before long, Jan was run-
ning on empty. She had little left to give. Her quest to appear
perfect before a watching world crumbled around her. Not
only was she not perfect, she couldnt keep up with the crazy
schedule anymore.
Can you relate to this woman? Are you trying too hard?
Always rushing here and there, involving yourself in a dozen
things? Has keeping up appearances become an issue? Watch
out. Before long, you might be running on empty, too.
Lord, Im so tired! Ive taken on too much.
My heart was in the right place, but somewhere along
the way I got off-track. Redirect me, Father. Show me
what to give up and what to stick with. Amen.
FRIDAY
APRIL 5
The Rainbow
I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the
covenant between me and the earth. . .Whenever the rainbow appears
in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant
between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.
GENESIS 9:13, 16 NIV
Before sunrise the rain beat furiously against our trailer,
rous-ing me from a deep sleep. Once it subsided the birds
chirped sweetly and I raised the window shade to peek
outside. Stretching boldly across the gray clouds lay a
vibrant semicircle of color. And slightly above it arched
another, more muted bow. God, You really outdid Your-
self this time! I shouted, waking my husband who reluc-
tantly nodded and then threw the covers over his head. A
minute later I few out the door for a better vantage point.
Every day God freely displays His blessings. Are we
too busy or disinterested to appreciate their wonder?
Even if weve forgotten Hes there, reminders are all
around for He is the God of covenants. In a world where
promises (or covenants) are disregarded routinely, I need
Gods kind of stability.
Have you ever made a covenant or a vow to God only
to fnd that lifes circumstances prevented you from keep-
ing it? Perhaps it was a marriage vow. In my own marriage
there have been times when just honoring that vow has
taken every bit of courage and strength I have. Without
Gods intervention my stubborn fesh would never stay one
more day and watch for His miracles of change and hope.
Lord, only You can renew my weary spirit
and fll me with fresh expectation.
Keep my eyes on Your rainbows!
SATURDAY
APRIL 6
A Hospitable Heart
After [Lydia] was baptized, along with everyone in her household,
she said in a surge of hospitality, If youre confdent that Im in this with
you and believe in the Master truly, come home with me and be my guests.
We hesitated, but she wouldnt take no for an answer.
ACTS 16:15 MSG
Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, worked hard at her trade. The
Bible does not tell us much else about her except that she was
a worshipper of God.
One day during their travels, Paul and his companions
stopped to pray by the river outside the city gate of Philippi.
They met a group of women there that included Lydia. She
listened to Pauls message and accepted Jesus. After Lydia was
baptized, she insisted the men come home with her and be
her guests. As was customary for a hostess, she likely prepared
and served them food and gave them a place to rest and pray.
She showed hospitality in the name of the Lord.
You can follow Lydias lead. Whether your home is small
or large, you can choose to be hospitable. Invite a friend who
needs a pick-me-up to join you for a meal during the week.
Ask a single mom and her children to come over for a pizza
and movie night. If elderly neighbors are unable to get out,
take your hospitality to them! Bake them some cookies or take
them fowers from your garden.
Father, give me a heart for hospitality.
May I always serve others in Your name. Amen.
SUNDAY
APRIL 7
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave
me in my mothers womb. I will give thanks to Thee, for I am
fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works,
and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from Thee,
when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths
of the earth. Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance;
and in Thy book they were all written, the days that were
ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.
PSALM 139:1316
Are you one of those people who picks up a new book
and reads the last page frst? Well, if your life could be
compared to a book, only God knows the ending as well
as the beginning. Despite the pages in the middle that
might prove disappointing at times, God has a defnite
purpose for your life. And if you are in His will, the last
page will have a very happy ending!
As we survey this sea of humanity, we can feel as
insignifcant as a grain of sand. And yet one granule piled
on top of another makes for a gorgeous beach.
Each of us has not only an inborn sense that there
is a God, but also an understanding that we possess a
designed intent. Your parents arent responsible for your
creation, God is. Had He not willed your very existence,
you would not have happened. God wants to use your life
to further His kingdom.
Lord, please renew my understanding
that You created me in Your own image and
likeness with a body, mind, and spirit.
MONDAY
APRIL 8
Guilt-Free
So now there is no condemnation
for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
ROMANS 8:1 NLT
Every one of us has messed upsome of us big-time. Fortu-
nately, we serve the God of second chances.
He tells us in 1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, he is
faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us
from all unrighteousness (NIV).
When we confess our failures, repent, and move on, God
wipes those mistakes awayHe sees the child He created,
who is washed in the blood of Jesus.
Therefore, Romans 8:1 says, [there is] now no condem-
nation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in
Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the
fesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit (AMP).
Whatever weve done wrong, lets stop condemning our-
selves. If weve confessed those sins, there is no need for our
feelings of guilt.
Guilt has held back the blessings of God long enough!
Let it go! Have faith in the blood that cleanses all sinspast,
present, and future.
Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings,
and he knows everything (1 John 3:20 NLT).
Father God, I thank You that You have forgiven me.
Help me to forgive myselfand to let go of the guilt
that keeps me from becoming the person You say that I
am. Your Word is true, and I choose to believe
what You say over what I feel.
TUESDAY
APRIL 9
Tough Fait
These people of faith died not yet having in hand what
was promised, but still believing. How did they do it?
They saw it way off in the distance, waved their greeting,
and accepted the fact that they were transients in this world.
HEBREWS 11:13 MSG
Sometimes Renee felt that she could not stand one more
day of her complicated life. Her husband, Tony, spent
Sundays racing stock cars instead of going to church.
Their daughter struggled at school. Renee had run out of
ideas to help her. Although Renees siblings lived nearby,
too, her elderly parents always seemed to call Renee for a
ride to the doctors offce. Even the dog dragged his dish
to her! Renee tried hard to balance her days in a godly
way. Whatever happened to the abundant life that was
supposed to be hers as a Christian?
Reneeand most of uswant to identify with the
triumphant heroes listed in Hebrews 11, the Faith Chap-
ter. God protected them as they succeeded in doing great
things for Him. We would rather forget others mentioned
who did not achieve their goals during their lifetimes, suf-
fering injustice and hardship. But God has not forgotten
themor Renee and other heroines who faithfully follow
Him. They may see few results from their obedience, but
their great reward will last an eternity.
Father, when I am sick and tired of doing good,
help me to say good-bye to earthly expectations
and wave hello to Your forever love. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
APRIL 10
Praise and Dance
Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty
expanse. Praise Him for His mighty deeds; praise Him according to His
excellent greatness. Praise Him with timbrel and dancing. . . Let everything
that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!
PSALM 150:12, 6
In other words, Praise Him with all youve got to make noise
with! Isnt that what true worship is, using our entire beings
to give Him the glory He deserves?
I know people who believe that dancing is a sin. But God
said He wanted His people dancing and praising Him. This
worshipful motion accompanied the psalms as they were
sung.
In just this one psalm we are given a formula for worship.
Whom are we to praise? The Lord! Where are we to
praise? Wherever His congregation gathers. For what are we
praising? For who He is, what Hes done, and the way Hes
done it. How are we to praise? With our voices, our instru-
ments, and our bodies as we dance in worship.
Youve heard people say, I dont need church, I can wor-
ship God anywhere. They usually mean that formal church
service usurps precious moments spent in personal pursuits.
They are denying any accountability to God.
The church is Gods provision for all the spiritual and
physical needs of His people. In a society that has become so
mobile as to practically abandon the idea of closeness with
extended family, the church picks up the slack.
Lord, help me to yield my spirit
up to You in true worship.
THURSDAY
APRIL 11
She Gave, and He Gave Back
Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come,
they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows
stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments
which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
ACTS 9:39 KJV
Dorcas had spent her life as a servant. She was a follower
of Christ who was full of good works and almsdeeds
(Acts 9:36 KJV) that she did continually. Scripture does not
itemize her works, but we do know that she sewed coats
and garments and took care of many widows.
She was the type of woman who could have worked
herself to death. People like Dorcas are often so busy
caring for others that they fail to care about themselves. Of
course, we cant say that for sure about Dorcas.
But we defnitely know that when she died, many
people grieved. And when they heard that the apostle
Peter was nearby, they asked him to comeapparently
believing he could raise the dead.
Thats exactly what Peter did. Through his prayer, he
raised Dorcas and returned her to service.
Dorcas had given her life to serve God, and God had
given it back.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and
whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall fnd it (Mat-
thew 16:25 KJV).
When you give your life to serve others, you are hon-
oring Godand fnding life.
Lord Jesus, I dont understand why You would give
Your life for me. There is nothing greater that I can
do on earth than to give my life for You in service to
others. Please strengthen me for this joyful task.
FRIDAY
APRIL 12
Infinite and Personal
Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? . . .
Do not I fll heaven and earth?
JEREMIAH 23:2324 KJV
Back in the 1950s, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
sent up its frst satellite, Sputnik. At that time, communism
held Russia in its tightfsted grip. Everyone who was anyone
in the USSR was a communist and an atheist. Not long after
Sputnik, the Russian cosmonauts circled Planet Earth. After
their return to earth, one cosmonaut made this announce-
ment to the world: I saw no God anywhere.
When U.S. astronauts fnally made it into space some
months later, one remarked, I saw God everywhere!
Our worldview determines the way we see reality. The
cosmonaut didnt expect to see God, and he didnt. The astro-
naut didnt see anything more or less than his Russian coun-
terpart, but he came away with an entirely different response.
God says that He is both close at hand and over all there is.
The late theologian and philosopher Francis Schaeffer called
Him the infnite-personal God.
Whether your day is crumbling around you or is the best
day you have ever had, do you see God in it? If the sky is fall-
ing or the sun is shining, do you still recognize the One who
orders all the planets and all your days? Whether we see Him
or not, God tells us He is there. And Hes here, tooin the
good times and bad.
Lord, empower me to trust You when its hard to
remember that You are near. And help me to live
thankfully when times are good. Amen.
SATURDAY
APRIL 13
Known by God
But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.
1 CORINTHIANS 8:3 ESV
How do we show that we love God? Is it by church atten-
dance? Giving? Doing good deeds? Prayer? These may be
manifestations of our love for God, or they may be things
we do out of a sense of duty; but loving God is frst and
foremost a response to being known and loved by God.
We cant muster emotion or feeling toward God nor do
we love Him simply by willing ourselves to acts of obedi-
ence. We begin to love God when we grasp what it means
to be known by God.
He knit us together in our mothers wombs.
He knows the number of hairs on our heads.
He knows every quirk of our personality and gave us
every talent that we have.
He accepts us as we are because of Christs sacrifce
for us.
He has compassion for our weakness.
He forgives our sins.
He longs to commune with us.
He delights to hear our prayers.
He desires to help us, strengthen us, and bless us.
He has given us the Holy Spirit as our comforter, our
helper, and our teacher.
He wills all this for us before we ever turn to Him
in repentance. We need to reacquaint ourselves with the
gospel often, to meditate on what Christ has done for us,
and to remember that He frst loved us.
Lord, renew my love for You.
Help me to remember that You knew me
and loved me before I ever knew You.
SUNDAY
APRIL 14
Taxes Must Be Paid
Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities.
For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist
are established by God. . . . For because of this you also pay taxes,
for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.
ROMANS 13:1, 6
Knowing the urgent business on your minds todaytaxes
must be paid!lets move ahead to Romans. How well I
remember all those times my husband and I have searched for
a post offce that stayed open until midnight on April 15. This
past year the post offce actually hired people to accept our
contributions right from our car windows. We called it the
tax parade.
As a tax assessor for our county, my husband claims to-
days Scripture as his life verse.
All governments are established by God. And that
includes those ungodly dictators who wield their power to
control and ravage their constituents. Know that they, too, are
accountable to God for the way they exercised the authority
that He placed in their trust.
Have you fnished flling out your IRS forms? If we meet
at midnight tonight, lets reassure each other that our hard-
earned money isnt being thrown away. Were following Scrip-
ture. . .were supporting a government that God has truly
blessed.
Lord, let me give to the government not
grudgingly but out of obedience to You.
And please assist those in authority over
me to direct wisely the use of these funds.
MONDAY
APRIL 15
Cabbage Patch Love
The LORD said, I have loved you.
But you ask, How have you loved us?
MALACHI 1:2 NCV
Mouth gaping open, Jamie stared at the array of Cabbage
Patch dolls at the toy store. She examined each doll until
she came to an infant boy, complete with birth certifcate.
I want this one. His birthday is the same day as mine.
Her mother bought the doll, and Jamie doted on it,
feeding it with the tiny bottle and wiping its face clean.
She carried the doll at all times and bragged about it to
everyone she met.
Imagine if such a doll could speak. Would it say to
Jamie, You say you love me, but I dont feel loved. How do
you love me?
Sometimes we ask God the same question. Of course
we know You love us, but with everything thats hap-
pened, we dont always feel loved.
God has a ready answer: Before I created Adam, I
chose you, as I once chose Jacob instead of Esau. Not
only did I choose you, I also adopted you into My family. I
gave My Son to make you Mine. I am always with you.
When we examine the facts, its obvious that God
loves us. He longs for us to love Him back. Lets open our
eyesand heartsto that perfect love.
Father, You chose us to be Your own. You love us
with all the tender compassion of a doting Father.
Let us rest in Your love.
TUESDAY
APRIL 16
Comforting Close
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
PSALM 34:18 NLT
Janice walked into the room full of people, still shaken from
the death of her father. Her mind was flled with the memory
of his laughing face; her hand yearned for his touch. Barely
a day went by when she wasnt welling up with tears at some
reminder of him. When will this pain end? she wondered.
As Janice continued across the room, she realized that
everyone had stopped talking. She looked up, and the others
turned away, as if they were embarrassed, not knowing what
to say or do.
Janice longed for someone to say something, anything. To
act normal whether she smiled or cried. She needed so much
comfort. To whom could she turn? Then Janice heard a voice.
Turn to Me, child. I am here. I am always here. Take My hand. I
long to comfort you.
When others turn away from us, we know we can always
rely on our eternal Father, the One who will never leave or
forsake us. He is close to us in the best and the worst of times.
He rescues us when we are crushed. Take His hand. Rest in
His arms. Let Him love you.
God, thank You for always being there. Heal my broken
heart, my crushed spirit. Hold my hand in Yours. With
every breath I take, may I know You are right here
beside me, loving me. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
APRIL 17
No Worries
So dont worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring
its own worries. Todays trouble is enough for today.
MATTHEW 6:34 NLT
What thoughts keep you up at night? Finances? Relation-
ships? Work? Health or family concerns? We women are
worriers by nature, but living in a constant state of dread
isnt what God wants for us, His beloved daughters.
If were honest with ourselves, we admit we some-
times hold on to our worries, thinking that keeping them
close somehow keeps us in control of the situation. In
reality, most of our worries concern things completely out
of our hands.
Instead, Jesus offers us freedom from our chains of
worry. Trust Me instead of relying on yourself. Give Me
the things that you fret over and stress about, He says.
How can you doubt that Ill take care of you when you
mean so much to Me?
Today, trust Jesus assurance that He will take care of
you. Ask Him to help you let go of your worrying nature
and replace it with a spirit of praise and thanksgiving.
It wont happen overnight, but soon youll feel the true
freedom from worry that only Jesus can supply.
Jesus, You know the toll my worries take on my
heart and mind. I dont want to hold on to these
negative thoughts, but its hard to let go of them!
Help me to place all my concerns in Your capable
hands so that I can be free to praise You
as You deserve!
THURSDAY
APRIL 18
Chosen
Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you
[as My chosen instrument], and before you were born
I separated and set you apart, consecrating you.
JEREMIAH 1:5 AMP
What an awesome thought! God said that before He formed
Jeremiah in his mothers womb, He knew him. He chose Jer-
emiah. God separated him from everyone else to perform a
specifc task, and He consecrated him for that purpose. Wow!
We can be sure that if God did that for Jeremiah, He did
it for each one of us. In fact, the apostle Paul said, He chose
us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would
be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us
to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, accord-
ing to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory
of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved
(Ephesians 1:46).
Nothing about us or our circumstances surprises God.
He knew about everything before we were born. And He
ordained that we should walk in those ways because we are
uniquely qualifed by Him to do so. He approved us, because
He chose us for our specifc situation. And He equipped us
for every trial and diffculty we will ever face in life. What an
awesome God we serve!
Father, the thought that You chose me before the
foundation of the world and set me apart for a specifc
calling is humbling. You are so good. May I go forward
with a renewed purpose in life.
FRIDAY
APRIL 19
Encounter at te Well
So He came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar. Jesus therefore,
being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well.
It was about the sixth hour. There came a woman of Samaria
to draw water. Jesus said to her, Give Me a drink.
JOHN 4:57
Here lived a woman of ill repute. Gathering water was a
task customarily performed by the village women early
in the day. Her presence at the well late in the afternoon
was an acknowledgment that she didnt ft in. She was
shunned by those who led wholesome lives. After all, she
had had fve husbands and now lived with a man.
Although men didnt speak to women in public, Jesus
asked this woman for a drink of water. Shocked, the woman
responded, How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for
a drink since I am a Samaritan woman? (John 4:9) No
self-respecting Jew would stoop to address pagans.
Jesus Christ goes right to the heart of her problem.
If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to
you, Give Me a drink, you would have asked Him, and
He would have given you living water (John 4:10). And
when she asked where to get this living water, He ex-
plained the process of eternal life to her.
Transformed, she ran back to town relating her amaz-
ing news: Come, see a man who told me all the things
that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it? (John 4:29)
Father, help me to seek out those who for
whatever reason are shunned and despised.
They need You so much.
SATURDAY
APRIL 20
The Forever Word
The grass withers and the fowers fall,
but the word of our God stands forever.
ISAIAH 40:8 NIV
There is nothing more powerful, more honest, more last-
ing, or more truthful than Gods Word. Nothing else in our
world stays the same. Nothing else holds such honest, hope-
ful power. Grass withers in the summer heat, fowers die and
fall to the ground at their seasons end. Even our precious
children grow up, eventually leaving the nest to venture into
the world without us.
The one thing that never changesthats consistently the
same yesterday, today, and for all eternityis the Word of our
God. We have it printed between worn black leather cov-
ers, or inside a slick contemporary hardback, or even on our
computer. Wherever we keep Gods Wordon fragile onion-
skinned paper or in some hard-to-understand electronic
worldwe fnd life. We fnd the God-inspired guidance, un-
derstanding, and wisdom we need to raise our children well.
Gods Word is more powerful than any storm life can bring,
sharper than any double-edged sword, and brighter than all
the stars in the heavens.
When we study Gods Word wholeheartedly, He will il-
luminate it, giving us an understanding that brings perfect
peace. While everything around us changes, we can rest in the
one thing that stands foreverthe true, unchanging Word of
God.
Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your Word. I pray that
You would teach me more and more how to obtain its
nourishment and wisdom for my spirit. I ask You
to bless me with great understanding.
SUNDAY
APRIL 21
One Day at a Time
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefts,
even the God of our salvation.
PSALM 68:19 KJV
Theres a reason why the Lords Prayer teaches us to
ask for daily bread. We tend to forget about yesterdays
provision in the crunch of todays needs. God calls us to a
childlike faith, one that basks in the provisions of the mo-
ment and forgets yesterdays disappointments and tomor-
rows worries.
Think about small children. A toddler may cry when
another child knocks him down and takes away his ball.
The tears disappear when his mother hugs him and gives
him a kiss. His joy in the expression of his mothers love
obliterates his disappointment about the toy. Later he
returns to the ball with fresh enthusiasm. He lives in the
moment.
God always provides for us. Benefts overfow the
shopping carts of our lives every single day. But He only
gives us what we need for today, not for tomorrow. He
knows that we need those benefts like a daily vitamin. By
tomorrow, even later today, we may forget all that God has
done for us. The Bible verse that spoke to us this morning
feels empty by afternoon.
God gives us blessings every day so that we still have
what we need after we have spent ourselves on lifes dis-
appointments.
Father, You give us bread daily. We praise
You for Your constant care and ask that You
will train our eyes to focus on Your blessings,
not on our failings. Amen.
MONDAY
APRIL 22
Turn Your Ear to Wisdom
For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge
and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, Guarding the paths
of justice, and He preserves the way of His godly ones.
PROVERBS 2:68
Every family has at least one relative who cannot get his act
together. (Meanwhile the rest of us scratch our heads and
wonder how he can miss the obvious, every single time.) Its
as though these people have to fall in every pothole in the
street because it never occurs to them to go down a different
road.
Are you smiling yet? Is someone in particular coming
clearly into focus? Now, hold that thought.
Gods Word says wisdom is truly a gift since it comes from
the mouth of God, from the very words He speaks. And all
Gods Words have been written down for us, through the inspi-
ration of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, those who refuse to accept
Gods guidance, who refuse to ask for His wisdomthose hap-
less relatives, perhapswill never see the light of reality.
Know that if you hold fast to the precepts contained in
the Bible, you will walk in integrity. Instead of gravitating
toward potholes, your feet will be planted on the straight and
narrow road.
Lord, I cant change my relatives but I can
change myself. So, if my head is the one peeking out of
the pothole, please pull me out!
TUESDAY
APRIL 23
A Litte Time wit God
I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers;
You have given me wisdom and might.
DANIEL 2:23 NKJV
Susan headed out of her house in the same way she always
didin a hurry, guiding two children before her, double-
checking their backpacks as she went and reminding
them of chores and practices scheduled for that afternoon.
Remember, 3:30 is ballet; 4:00 is soccer. Ill pick you up
school, but I have to go back to work, so
She stopped as her coat snagged on a bush. What
She looked down to fnd her hem caught frmly by a
cluster of thorns. As she stooped to untangle the cloth,
the stem bent suddenly, and Susan found herself nose-
to-petal with a rose. It smelled glorious, and she paused,
laughing.
When Susan had planted the bush, a friend had
asked why. You never stop long enough to enjoy even
what God drops in front of you. What makes you think
youll care about a rose?
Susan glanced up toward the sky. Thanks for grabbing
me. I guess I should spend a little more time with You.
God blesses us every day in both great and simple
ways. Children, friends, work, faithall these things form
a bountiful buffet of gifts, and caring for them isnt always
enough. We need to spend a little time with the One who
has granted us the blessings.
Father God, You have given us so much to be
grateful for. Show me a way to spend more time
with You, and help me to grow closer
and know You better. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
APRIL 24
Healed Miraculously
Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool. . .having fve porticoes.
In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered,
(waiting for the moving of the waters; for an angel of the Lord went down
at certain seasons into the pool, and stirred up the water; whoever then
frst, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from
whatever disease with which he was afficted.)
JOHN 5:24
So many times when we cry out to the Lord for healing, He
seems to be asking us the same question He posed to the man
who had been sitting at this gate for thirty-eight years waiting
for healing: Do you wish to get well? (John 5:6)
In other words, do you honestly desire to rid yourself
of the things that debilitate? For true healing of our souls
requires a change of direction.
Evidently, this man had never asked for assistance in
reaching the restorative waters. Instead, he just lay there day
after day, on the fringe of what could have been. A few verses
later Jesus zeroes in on the core of the mans problem. Do
not sin anymore (John 5:14).
Now everyone who is sick is not necessarily guilty of sin.
Later, Christ is asked by the disciples whether or not a man
sinned. Jesus answered, It was neither that this man sinned,
nor his parents; but it was in order that the works of God
might be displayed in him (John 9:3). Only God knows the
content of ones heart.
Lord, if sin is at the root of my infrmity, then bring me
to swift repentance. But if my suffering is
to point others toward Your glory,
quench my thirst with Your living water.
THURSDAY
APRIL 25
Lend a Hand
What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor
to the man attacked by robbers? The one who treated him kindly,
the religion scholar responded. Jesus said, Go and do the same.
LUKE 10:3637 MSG
The woman pushed the button on her garage door
opener and drove her car inside. Before she climbed out,
she closed the garage door, intent on getting inside for
her evening meal. She never noticed the bicycle lying in
the grass or the boy who had tumbled onto the asphalt.
Enveloped in the cocoon of her own home, she went
about her business.
Too often, we follow a similar pattern. Our lives are
busywork, church, exercise, entertainmentand we
never even meet our neighbors, much less get to know
them.
While its good to be cautious, the parable of the
Good Samaritan tells us to help one another. Not only
does becoming involved provide someone needed as-
sistance, it expands our heart-reach. We become Jesus
to others, spreading love and kindness, increasing our
witness.
Lets keep our eyes peeled for occasions when we
might help a neighbor. We want to be wise, select care-
fully, and love openly.
Father, thank You for Your loving-kindness.
Give me an opening to share
Your love with others. Amen.
FRIDAY
APRIL 26
ARBOR DAY
Sleep on It
It is of the LORDs mercies that we are not consumed,
because his compassions fail not. They are new
every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
LAMENTATIONS 3:2223 KJV
Sleep on it. Researchers have found that to be sound ad-
vice. They believe that sleep helps people sort through facts,
thoughts, and memories, providing a clearer look at the big
picture upon waking. Sleep also separates reality from emo-
tions like fear and worry, which can cloud our thinking and
interfere with rational decision-making.
Scientifcally speaking, sleep is good medicine. For
Christians, the biological effects of sleep are outweighed by
the spiritual benefts of the new day God gives us. At the end
of an exhausting day, after the worries and the pressures of
life have piled high, we may lie down, feeling as though we
cant take another moment of stress. But Gods Word tells us
that His great mercy will keep our worries and problems from
consuming us.
Through the never-ending compassion of God, His
faithfulness is revealed afresh each morning. We can rise with
renewed vigor. We can eagerly anticipate the new day, leaving
behind the concerns of yesterday.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me a new
measure of Your mercy and compassion each day so that
my concerns dont consume me. I rest in You
and I lay my burdens at Your feet.
SATURDAY
APRIL 27
Our Refuge in Time of Pain
Be gracious to me, O God. . .for my soul takes refuge in You.
PSALM 57:1 NASB
The voice on the other end of the phone told Jill that a
dear friend had been killed in a freak accident. Jill shook
her head in disbelief and began to wail.
When her tears were exhausted, her eyes fell on a
family Bible on the coffee table. She reached for it, and the
pages opened to Psalm 57. Haltingly, Jill read the verses
out loud. They comforted her soul as she mourned the loss
of her childhood pal.
When death takes someone dear, the worlds very
foundation seems to shake. The color of the air around us
looks different, and we wonder why everyone else is going
about their everyday lives as if nothing had changed. We
question God, asking why He couldnt stop the situation
causing our pain.
His Word doesnt always answer our questions, but
it is a place we can run to for comfort. Though the books
of the Bible are ancient, they are timeless. Just as the
psalmists poured out their anguish, joys, doubts, and fears
to God, so can we. And as we commune with Godnot
holding anything backHe tends to us gently, giving us
the scriptures we need at just the right time.
When the world around you breaks loose, dont lose
your hold on God. And rest assured, He wont let go of
you.
Father, thank You for Your words of comfort when
I am racked with grief and pain. Help me to
never forget that You are there for me.
SUNDAY
APRIL 28
Unremarkable Lives
Then Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried in one
of the cities of Gilead. Now Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel
after him. And he had thirty sons, and thirty daughters whom
he gave in marriage outside the family, and he brought in
thirty daughters from outside for his sons. And he judged Israel
seven years. Then Ibzan died and was buried in Bethlehem.
JUDGES 12:710
What do you want etched into your own tombstone? Person-
ally, Id like to be remembered this way: Studied the Word of
God diligently and cared about bringing it to others.
But no such accolades are recorded for the four judges
Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon. Jephthah is known
mainly for his rash vow, while Ibzans claim to fame is a large
family, whom he married off to the pagans dwelling in that
area. Thats the route that led to unbelief and pagan idolatry
over and over during the time in which the judges ruled Israel.
Nothing is learned about Abdon except that he had forty sons
and thirty grandsons who rode on seventy donkeys (Judges
12:14). What other tangible effects of his presence on earth did
he leave behind?
How can we discern the will of God for our lives? Daily
prayer is defnitely the main source. And this involves not only
relating our needs to God, but also listening for His directions.
For He never meant for us to traverse through this maze called
life without the road maps He would supply.
Lord, remind me to linger in prayer,
listening for Your voice.
MONDAY
APRIL 29
The Blazing Furnace
If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to
save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.
DANIEL 3:17 NIV
God wouldnt actually let these three godly men,
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, be thrown into the
furnace, would He? Their bold declaration surely was just
an act of defance to King Nebuchadnezzars tyrannical
order to worship his golden statue. Surely God would
provide a way of escape.
But He didnt. Or at least not in the way they had
probably hopedby avoiding that furnace. Imagine their
thoughts as Nebuchadnezzars fury was unleashed and he
ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than
usual. Imagine how they felt as they were bound, in highly
fammable clothing, and carried to the furnace. Imagine
the terror they felt as the guards who were ordered to
throw them into the furnace perished from its heat!
Had God abandoned Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-
nego? Hardly!
Nebuchadnezzar looked into the furnace and found
the three men walking around, unbound and unharmed,
along with a fourth man. Scholars believe this was Jesus,
preincarnate.
Too often we think that our faith should keep us out
of the furnace: a health crisis, fnancial worries, troubling
situations with our kids. But being in the furnace doesnt
mean that God has abandoned us. As promised in He-
brews 13:5 (NKJV), I will never leave you nor forsake you.
He will be right there in the furnace with you.
Lord God, thank You that I can count on You to
be with me in every circumstance. Though evil
threatens, You hold me in Your loving hands. Amen.
TUESDAY
APRIL 30
It s Not My Fault
Someone who lives on milk is still an infant
and doesnt know how to do what is right.
HEBREWS 5:13 NLT
When Sara was a little girl, she found the perfect alibi for her
every crime. Whether she unrolled a brand-new roll of toilet
paper throughout the house or wrote her name in crayon on
the wall, Saras imaginary friend, Ella, took the blame.
Sara, who spilled orange juice all over the foor? her
mother would ask.
Ella did it, Sara would always reply.
Sara never outgrew her penchant for blaming others. As
an adult, whether she bounced a check or showed up late for
work, she always found a way to pin her failures on others.
This pattern started in Eden. When Adam ate the fruit,
he blamed Eve. Then Eve blamed Satan. When we fail to take
responsibility for our choices, we tend to make the same bad
ones over and over again. Accepting responsibility for our
actions tells God that we want to learn from our mistakes so
they dont happen again. It also tells Him that we are willing
to do what it takes to make them right.
Are you using the shortcomings of someone else to justify
your own actions? Take a moment to ask God to examine your
heart in this important area.
Lord, as hard as it is to admit when I am wrong, teach
me to humbly accept responsibility for my choices.
I pray for growth and maturity
in my Christian walk. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
MAY 1
Anna, te Prophetess
And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the
tribe of Asher. . . . And she never left the temple, serving night and day
with fastings and prayer. And at that very moment she came up and
began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all
those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
LUKE 2:3638
This year, as the National Day of Prayer approached, one
woman in my church did her best to evoke an enthusi-
astic response from members of a daytime Bible study.
I watched as many offered her incredulous stares that
silently stated, What planet are you on? What do you mean,
meet for prayer?
Call a prayer meeting at your own church and youll
know what I mean. Only a handful of people bother to
attend and its always the same group. However, if we fail to
pray consistently, it is little wonder we are without guid-
ance for our leadership.
Anna had faithfully served in the temple her entire
life. And despite her advanced age, she remained there
even after others had gone home for the evening. She was
a prophetess; she foretold the truths of God to the people.
No wonder He used her life.
God had promised Anna that she would see the Mes-
siah before she died. She waited eighty-four years, biding
her time in service to the Lord. And He kept His Word. Let
us strive to follow Annas prayerful example, and we, too,
will be blessed by God.
Lord, call my heart to faithfulness and prayer.
May I serve as an example to encourage others.
THURSDAY
MAY 2
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
Time for Praise
And a voice came from the throne, saying, Give praise to our God,
all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great.
REVELATION 19:5
A kindergarten teacher wanted to infuse her school day with
opportunities to praise God. She realized that she walked into
her storage room numerous times during the day collecting
such things as art supplies, kick balls for recess, and tissues
for runny noses, and so she decided that in these brief mo-
ments she would lift up an offering of praise to God.
Thank You, Lord, for giving me wisdom today, she
would whisper right after the bell rang in the morning.
Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised! she said as
she put on her sweater to go outside.
Your loving-kindness is better than life, she would hum
as she grabbed an extra box of chalk later in the day.
What a wonderful idea this teacher had! We can follow
her example, examining our daily routines for snippets of
time in which to offer up praises to the Almighty. A stay-at-
home mom might praise the Lord at traffc lights as she is
running her errands. An offce worker might fnd her mo-
ments of praise in the break room. The more we praise God,
the more we will feel the joy of His presence in the ordinary
moments of our day-to-day lives.
Jesus, You are worthy to be praised; help me to making
praising Your name a lifelong habit. Amen.
FRIDAY
MAY 3
God in te Details
When we heard of it, our hearts melted and
everyones courage failed because of you, for the LORD your
God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.
JOSHUA 2:11 NIV
The people of Jericho had reason to be worried. They had
seen evidence of Gods strength and support of His chil-
drenand knew that Joshua planned to conquer Canaan.
As residents of the key military fortress in the land, they
understood that Joshua would soon be at their gates.
Yet only Rahab seemed to recognize the right course
of action: to embrace the Lord and open her home to
Joshuas agents. In return, they made sure she and her
family survived the attack. Because of her courage and
faith, Rahab became an ancestress of Jesus.
Sometimes, when our own lives seem to be under
siege from the demands of work, bills, family, whatever
fnding the work of God amid the strife can be diffcult.
Even though we acknowledge His power, we may overlook
the gentle touches, the small ways in which He makes ev-
ery day a little easier. Just as the Lord cares for the tiniest
bird (Matthew 10:2931), so He seeks to be a part of every
detail in your life. Look for Him there.
Father God, I know You are by my side every day,
good or bad, and that You love and care for me.
Help me to see Your work in my life and in
the lives of my friends and family.
SATURDAY
MAY 4
Appreciate What You Have
You shall not covet your neighbors house; you shall not covet your
neighbors wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant,
nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbors.
EXODUS 20:17 NKJV
The dictionary defnes the word covet as having a strong de-
sire to possess something that belongs to somebody else.
It is okay to want something. The danger comes when we
want what someone else has. You probably dont struggle with
coveting a neighbors donkey, ox, or servant as the command-
ment suggests. But could it be a friends husband that you
wish were your own? A neighbors swimming pool? A siblings
talent? A stars fame?
When God tells us that we shall not, we must pay at-
tention. His commandments are for our good. Catch yourself
when you sense a desire for that which is not yours. Appreci-
ate your own gifts, blessings, and belongings. An even higher
calling is to be happy for others in their accomplishments and
as they acquire possessions.
God, You have poured out so many blessings on me.
Protect my heart from desiring that which
belongs to others. Amen.
SUNDAY
MAY 5
Search for Happiness
I said to myself, Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy
yourself. And behold, it too was futility. I explored with my mind how
to stimulate my body with wine while my mind was guiding me wisely,
and how to take hold of folly, until I could see what good there is for
the sons of men to do under heaven the few years of their lives.
ECCLESIASTES 2:13
Ah, the endless search for happiness. Remember when
you thought that new dress or outft would bring you
happiness? And it did until you wore it again and again.
Then you moved on to bigger and better things, like a
brand-new car or a twenty-fve-hundred-square-foot
house or a summer home. . . .
Solomon explored with his mind how to stimulate his
body. Then he enlarged his empire, built houses, planted
vineyards, made gardens and parks, engineered ponds of
water to irrigate a forest, bought male and female slaves,
focks, and herds, and collected silver and gold. All that
his eyes desired he achieved. But did any of this bring
him true happiness?
Thus I considered all my activities which my hands
had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold
all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no
proft under the sun (Ecclesiastes 2:11). It fnally occurred
to Solomon that in the end he would die and leave it all to
others who followed him.
Lord, help me not to be drawn away from You by
the endless pursuit of things. Instead, I desire Your
presence, guidance, and wisdom.
MONDAY
MAY 6
So, Talk!
No one is able to come to Me unless the Father Who sent Me attracts and
draws him and gives him the desire to come to Me.
JOHN 6:44 AMP
In some of the psalms, the writers seem to shake their fsts at
God, shouting, Where are You, Lord? Why are You so slow?
Are You sleeping? Wake up and help me!
Interestingly, the psalmists never doubted Gods exis-
tence, only His methods. They loved Him, they believed He
would triumph over enemies, and they knew He was the One
True God. But they had some strong opinions about the way
He went about His business. And they had no qualms about
telling Him!
Fortunately for us human beings, God isnt easily of-
fended. He is deeply committed to holding up His end of our
relationship, and He doesnt want us to hide anything from
Him. He already knows every thought we have, anyway. Why
not talk to Him about those thoughts?
Every concern we have, every little thing thats good, bad,
or ugly.
Our Father always wants to talk. In fact, the very impulse
to pray originates in God. In his book The Pursuit of God,
author A. W. Tozer wrote, We pursue God because, and only
because, He has frst put an urge within us that spurs us to
the pursuit.
So, talk!
Lord God, it boggles my mind that You want to hear
from me! And often! Your Word says that I can call out
Your name with confdence. That You will answer me!
Today, Lord, I give You praise, honor, and glory
and my hearts deepest longings.
TUESDAY
MAY 7
Practicality vs. Passion
Leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town
and said to the people, Come, see a man who told me
everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?
JOHN 4:2829 NIV
Leaving her water jar. . . One might overlook the phrase;
nevertheless, the act was important enough to be included
in Johns Gospel.
Fetching water was part of the Samaritan womans
daily routine. What caused her to abandon the task, lay
down her jar, and run into town?
We dont know much about this woman. We do know,
like many women today, that she was searching for fulfll-
ment in all the wrong places. She had had fve husbands
and was living with a man to whom she was not married.
But everything changed the day she met a man at the well
and He asked her for a drink of water. Then, although
they had never met before, He told her everything she
had ever done. He offered her living water that would
never run dry.
Practicality gave way to passion! She knew this man
was the Messiah, and sharing that good news became a
priority. The woman tossed aside her water jar. She took
an extreme measure, for she was responding to an extreme
interruption in her lost existence. She had met Jesus.
Do you live with such passion, or do you cling to your
water jar? Has an encounter with Christ made an impact
that cannot be denied in your life?
Lord, help me to lay down anything that
stifes my passion for sharing the Good
News with others. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
MAY 8
Remembering
Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are continually before me.
ISAIAH 49:16 ESV
A phone number, a homework assignment, an item to pick
up at the grocery storewe might jot any of these reminders
on our hand if a piece of paper isnt available. We know if we
write something on our hand we will see it. How can we not?
We use our hands all day, every day. They are always in front
of us.
When the Lord said He has engraved us on the palm of
His hands, He was telling us that He remembers us. All day,
every day, He remembers us. We are of utmost importance to
Him. We cannot be forgotten. When He submitted Himself
to Calvarys cross and allowed nails to be driven through His
hands, He was remembering us. Our names are in those scars.
Romans 8:34 (NIV) says, Christ Jesus, who diedmore
than that, who was raised to lifeis at the right hand of God
and is also interceding for us. Jesus is remembering us in
constant prayer to the Father. His eyes never close and His
memory never fails. God remembers us.
Father, thank You that through Christ You have brought
me to Yourself, You reign over my life,
and You always remember me.
THURSDAY
MAY 9
Jesus, Bread of Life
As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father,
so he who eats Me, he also shall live because of Me. This is the bread
which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate, and died,
he who eats this bread shall live forever.
JOHN 6:5758
Have you ever sat in a large lecture hall, listening to an
intellectual speaker who extended your mind past the
breaking point? Well, this is how the Jews of this day
reacted to Christ as He spoke these words to them. They
hadnt the vaguest notion as to how they might apply this
information. If their minds had been fle drawers, theyd
have been in a quandary as to which fle category to place
it all under.
These listeners knew what the Scriptures said and yet
they had no real comprehension that these God-breathed
words were being fulflled before their very eyes. So, they
applied human understanding to Christs words.
Some said that Jesus teachings were too diffcult
to even bother with, while others stated that Christ was
speaking about cannibalism. But the majority just walked
away, refusing to follow Christ anymore. To continue fol-
lowing Him required faith and commitment.
To truly partake of Christ is to accept Him as He is,
fully God and fully man, sent from God, recognizing our
need for Him. He came frst to the Jews, but they refused
the message. What is your response?
Lord, when I dont understand the Scriptures,
Your Holy Spirit will provide me with comprehension.
FRIDAY
MAY 10
Timely Words
The LORD God gives me the right words to encourage the weary.
ISAIAH 50:4 CEV
Jean felt lower than she had in years. The job she had cov-
eted, fought for, and won had disappeared. After initial
success, her second project failed to meet expectations. The
company downgraded her job responsibilities, and once again
she was relegated to entry-level duties.
Across the country in another state, Helen didnt know
about Jeans job situation, but God prodded her. Write to Jean.
Tell her how much you appreciate her and what a good job you
think she did when you worked together. Helen obeyed. It didnt
take much time to send a few brief sentences through cyber-
space.
Helens timely words arrived at the time Jean most
needed encouragement. Many of us can testify to similar
experiences.
God has given us tongues and fngers to communicate
timely words to the weary around us. Perhaps it is a simple
matter of complimenting someone on a new blouse. Perhaps
it is time to send a card through the mail or to pick up the
phone and call a friend you havent seen for a while. Perhaps
you need to set aside your plans for the evening and visit a
friend in the hospital.
When God prompts us to speak, we become part of His
answer.
Lord God, You have given us gifts that can lift up the
weary when they most need it. Teach us to listen
for Your instructions. Amen.
SATURDAY
MAY 11
Samuel Is Born
And it came about in due time, after Hannah had conceived,
that she gave birth to a son; and she named him Samuel, saying,
Because I have asked him of the LORD.
1 SAMUEL 1:20
Hannah, a woman of real faith, wanted to keep her prom-
ise to God. After Samuel was born and she had weaned
him, she took him promptly to the temple. There she said
to Eli, Oh, my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the
woman who stood here beside you, praying to the LORD.
For this boy I prayed, and the LORD has given me my peti-
tion which I asked of Him. So I have dedicated him to the
LORD; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the LORD (1
Samuel 1:2628).
Every year Hannah and Elkanah returned for their
sacrifce at the temple, and every year Hannah brought
Samuel a new robe to wear. For her faithfulness, God
blessed Hannah with three more sons and two daughters
(1 Samuel 2:21).
God was now training Samuel to take over as judge
of Israel, as Elis own sons had no regard for the Lord.
As Samuel continued to grow in favor with the LORD (1
Samuel 2:26), the Lord declared, Those who honor me I
will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained
(1 Samuel 2:30 NIV).
Lord, if You should give me a child, guide me as
You guided Hannahto sincere faithfulness.
SUNDAY
MAY 12
MOTHERS DAY
God in Disguise
For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink.
I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. . . .
And the King will say, I tell you the truth, when you did it to one
of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!
MATTHEW 25:35, 40 NLT
What does it mean to be a missionary? Wholehearted service
to God. A heart for others. A desire to lead people to a rela-
tionship with Jesus.
A missionary can be a mother, a teacher, an offce worker,
an emergency medical technician, or a salesperson. God
instructs His followers to go into the worldacross bor-
dersto tell people about Him. But go can also mean walk-
ing across the street or driving down the road to visit another
person.
What is keeping you from your mission feld? The details
and to-do lists of day-to-day life easily take away time for daily
service to others. Sometimes we can become so concerned
with serving God that we forget that God is served when we
serve people. Just as it is possible to have head knowledge
about God without having a relationship with God, so can
people interact with others without ever meeting a persons
real need.
Jesus met peoples immediate needs, but He didnt stop
there. He fed and healed people, but He also invited them
to accept Him and follow Him. Its all too easy to overlook
people. Sometimes they dont even look like they need help.
Although we cannot force someone to accept our help, we can
make a point to offer it.
Lord, open my eyes to see those who need care. Amen.
MONDAY
MAY 13
Rock of Ages
You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose
mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because
he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confdently in You.
So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him,
hope confdently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an
everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].
ISAIAH 26:34 AMP
You and I can have peace. Authentic peace. God-breathed
peace. Not because we live in some make-believe world,
repeating positive-thinking statements in an attempt to
alter reality. Not because weve been able to avoid adver-
sity or opposition. No, we can have peace simply and only
because we trust our heavenly Father.
Its not our incredible faith or extraordinary, over-the-
top godly lives that brings us peace. God simply wants
our complete trust. He calls us to lean confdently on
Him and His faithfulness, rather than fretting over, and
focusing on, our circumstances.
This doesnt imply that well live without diffculties.
All women have those! But when we make the commit-
ment to trust our heavenly Father, come what may, He
guards us and keeps us in His peace.
No matter what we see with our eyes, no matter what
the hardship, God is our solid rock. . .our Rock of Ages.
Father God, grant me the ability to trust You,
come what may.
TUESDAY
MAY 14
Not Even His Broters Believed
Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Tabernacles, was at hand. His
brothers therefore said to Him, Depart from here, and go into Judea,
that Your disciples also may behold Your works which You are doing.
For no one does anything in secret, when he himself seeks to be known
publicly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.
For not even His brothers were believing in Him.
JOHN 7:25
One of the most diffcult challenges any believer faces is
reaching her family with Christs message. Although Jesus
own brothers had daily viewed His sinless life, they were as
blind as the Pharisees to who He really was.
Surely these siblings, Christs earthly half-brothers (Mat-
thew 13:5556, Mark 6:16), knew that the Jews were seeking
to kill Him (John 7:1). But they were headed for Jerusalem to
attend the Feast of Booths, as required by God. Jesus brothers
were embarking on a journey to a religious feast and yet reject-
ing their own Messiah.
Their unbelief had been prophesied in Psalm 69:8: I
have become estranged from my brothers, and an alien to my
mothers sons.
Christs half-brothers were completely in tune with the
world, and not with God. Jesus tells them, My time is not yet
at hand, but your time is always opportune. . . . Go up to the
feast yourselves; I do not go up to this feast because My time
has not yet fully come (John 7:68). After His brothers left,
Christ went secretly to the feast.
Thank You, Jesus, for reminding me to
wait for Gods timing in my life, especially
when the pressure applied by others would
have me rush on ahead.
WEDNESDAY
MAY 15
The Gift of Receiving
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we
must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself
said: It is more blessed to give than to receive.
ACTS 20:35 NIV
You probably already know that, like Jesus said, it is bet-
ter to give to others than to receive for yourself. But what
if everyone gave and no one received? That would be
impossible, actually. In order for some to give, others have
to receive. God designed it perfectly so that the body of
Christ would work together and help each other.
Have you ever turned down help of any kindtan-
gible goods like money or groceries, or intangible things
like babysitting or wise counselout of pride? Are you
trying to keep a stiff upper lip to show the world how
strong you are? Maybe you are fully capable of succeeding
with no outside help. But in doing so, you might rob oth-
ers of the joy of giving.
Next time someone offers help, consider graciously
accepting the extended hand. By your willingness to re-
ceive, others might enjoy the blessings of giving.
Lord, thank You for the times that You have sent
help my way. Please give me the wisdom and the
grace to know when to accept help from others
and even the courage to ask for it when I need it.
THURSDAY
MAY 16
Church
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do,
but encourage one another, especially now that the day
of his return is drawing near.
HEBREWS 10:25 NLT
Do you ever fnd yourself making excuses to skip church? I
stayed up too late Saturday night. . . . The weather is bad. . . .
I dont have anyone to sit with. The list of excuses is endless.
We rationalize our decision by saying were going to watch a
TV sermon or worship the Lord by being in nature.
Attending church every Sunday takes effort. Thats why
the writer of Hebrews reminds us of the importance of meet-
ing together. But why is corporate worship so necessary?
Believers are strengthened as we focus on the Lord to-
gether. Praising the Lord with one voice in song is powerful.
Being reminded of Gods truth is crucial. Fellowship encour-
ages us in our spiritual walk. Weve each been given at least
one spiritual gift to beneft the church body, and that gift is
exercised as we are connected to each other.
Church worship gives us a glimpse of what heaven will be
likebelievers of every nationality and background worship-
ping the Lord together. We will acknowledge His holiness. We
will bow before Him in adoration. Why wait until heaven? Go
to church this week. The blessings will be yours!
Dear Lord, I need to worship You with other believers.
Help me to be consistent in church attendance. Amen.
FRIDAY
MAY 17
Burden-Bearing
For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who languishes.
JEREMIAH 31:25
What kind of burdens are you carrying today? Finances,
health, work, family cares, childrentheyre all burdens
we take on, thinking we have to work out all the problems
and fnd the solutions.
Jesus tells us, If you are tired from carrying heavy
burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. Take the
yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from
me. I am gentle and humble, and you will fnd rest. This
yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light (Matthew
11:2830 CEV). While these verses primarily refer to the
burden of guilt and shame over sin and our inability to
release that burden on our own, a secondary meaning ap-
plies to the burdens we take on ourselvesby not trust-
ing Gods sovereignty in every area of our lives.
Several times in scripture, we humans are compared
to sheep. Sheep are not burden-bearing animals. You dont
see shepherds loading them up like mules, camels, and
horses. Neither are we required to take on burdens. The
fact is that many times in Gods Word were encouraged to
roll every burden onto Him.
The promised result is Gods restHis peace, His
refreshing of our spiritsin spite of any problem we face.
When we submit to His yoke, we fnd that the burden
truly is light and easy to bear. No longer languishing, we
fnd ourselves refreshed, walking forward in His strength.
Father God, may we heed Jesus invitation today,
knowing that Your desire is to do all things for our
good and Your glory.
SATURDAY
MAY 18
Thy Will Be Done
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
MATTHEW 6:10 NIV
We pray it. We say it. But do we really mean that we want
Gods will to be done on earth as it is in heaven? Submitting
to Gods will is diffcult. Jesus struggled with submission in
the Garden of Gethsemane. We wrestle with it most days.
Unfortunately, most of us assume that we know best. We want
to call the shots and be in control. But following Gods path
requires trusting Him, not ourselves.
Many times submitting to Gods will requires letting go of
something we covet. We may be called to walk away from a re-
lationship, a job, or a material possession. At other times God
may ask us to journey down a path we would not have chosen.
Venturing out of our comfort zone or experiencing hardship
is not our desire.
Embracing Gods love enables us to submit to His will.
God not only loves us immensely, but He desires to bless us
abundantly. However, from our human perspective, those spir-
itual blessings may be disguised. That is why we must cling
to truth. We must trust that Gods ways are higher than ours.
We must believe that His will is perfect. We must hold fast to
His love. As we do, He imparts peace to our hearts, and we are
able to say with conviction, Your will be done.
Dear Lord, may I rest secure in Your unconditional love.
Enable me to trust You more. May I desire that
Your will be done in my life. Amen.
SUNDAY
MAY 19
A Time to Mourn
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for
every event under heaven. . . . A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
ECCLESIASTES 3:1, 4
Once weve fnally accepted that God truly loves us, its
hard to face the frst discouraging episode or tragedy that
follows. One young family had received a strong call from
the Lord to the mission feld. At the beginning of a fund-
raising trip they were involved in an accident that totaled
their van. What would they do? They transferred their
focus away from the problem and to their faithful Lord
who never disappoints.
Somehow we reach the faulty conclusion that if God
loves us all negative incidents are nixed. Do we doubt
that the Father loved the Son and yet allowed the Son to
suffer a cruel death on the cross? The penalty for sin was
death, a penalty that had to be paid by someone absolutely
sinless in order for us to be forgiven. Only Jesus Christ
could fll that role.
If Christ Himself suffered, then why should we be
immune from all maladies?
Occasionally a time of mourning enters our lives,
sometimes stealing in almost silently, sometimes brashly
breaking down the door to our well-constructed sense
of security. Neither path refects nor distorts the fact that
God loves us. But tragedy and mourning are both part of
the ebb and fow or rhythm of life.
Lord, through my veil of tears help me to view Your
rescuing hand, that I might reach out to
grasp You more frmly.
MONDAY
MAY 20
Keeping On
Blessed is the man who perseveres.
JAMES 1:12 NIV
A child played with an infatable superhero toy. When he
punched the towering fgure, it fopped over, then bounced
back upright on its round base. Despite constant pummel-
ing, nothing the child did could keep the superhero fat on its
back.
We can feel like the superhero toy: We get knocked down
by situations we cannot control. Were off balance, our breath
thumped out of us. At these times, we need to adopt our own
ability to bounce back.
The Book of James encourages us to persevere so we
might attain the crown of life that God has promised to
those who love him (James 1:12 NIV). He reminds us that God
is with us. When Satan attacks, fnds our Achilles heel, and
knocks us over, we need to dig deep into reservoirs of faith,
tap in to Gods Word, and pop back up, fghting the fght Hes
put before us. We cant be passive, or we will be demolished.
Perseverance means staying in the fght and refusing
to give up. This attitude empowers us and makes the victim
mentality dissipate. It builds confdence, one fght at a time.
Keep on keeping onits a powerful life tool.
Lord, give me the strength to get up from the mat and
continue. I choose to believe in Your promises. Amen.
TUESDAY
MAY 21
But Even If
If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom
we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power,
Your Majesty. But even if he doesnt, we want to make it clear to you,
Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship
the gold statue you have set up.
DANIEL 3:1718 NLT
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were men of faith
who stood on their belief in Gods power. They trusted
God to take care of them, no matter what King Nebuchad-
nezzar did.
These three faithful men said, But even if he doesnt
[rescue us], it wouldnt make a bit of difference (Daniel
3:18 MSG). Even in the face of earthly consequenceslike
a blazing furnacethey were committed to obeying God.
Every day, our faith is tested by fery furnaces of one
sort or another. We want a new coat; do we tithe? The
boss gave us cash; do we report it as income and pay the
tax?
We need to be so grounded in the Word of God that
we know His truth and trust Him above all else. Regard-
less of the circumstances or the temptations to disobey,
we can stand frm in our faith in Gods ability to rescue
us from all situations. Thats a faith that says, But even if
God doesnt rescue me, Ill obey Him no matter what.
Is our faith like that of Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego?
Heavenly Father, I trust You no matter what and
will obey Your Word. Help me stand in faith and
face any fery furnace that comes my way.
Please give me total confdence in You.
WEDNESDAY
MAY 22
Marvelous Plans
O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name,
for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things,
things planned long ago.
ISAIAH 25:1 NIV
God had marvelous plans for the children of Israel, and they
were blessed by God. God sent bread from heaven each
morning in the form of manna while Israel wandered in the
wilderness. When the people complained they had no meat,
God sent quail. When the people complained they had no
water, God gave water from a rock.
Amazingly, everything the people needed, God provided
in the wilderness over and over again. Yet when they came
to the Promised Land, only Joshua and Caleb believed that
God would help them conquer the land. Everyone else was
afraid and complainedagain. Because of their faith, Joshua
and Caleb were the only ones God allowed to move into the
Promised Land.
God has a promised land for us alla marvelous plan
for our lives. Recount and record His faithfulness in your
life in the past, because God has already demonstrated His
marvelous plans to you in so many ways. Then prayerfully an-
ticipate the future journey with Him. Keep a record of Gods
marvelous plans in a journal as He unfolds them day by day.
You will fnd God to be faithful in the smallest aspects of your
life and oh so worthy of your trust.
Oh Lord, help me to recount Your faithfulness, record
Your faithfulness, and trust Your faithfulness in
the future. For You are my God, and You have done
marvelous things, planned long ago. Amen.
THURSDAY
MAY 23
The Well-Stocked Purse
We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.
PROVERBS 16:9 NLT
Have you ever noticed how a woman will carry a purse, a
diaper bag, a work satchel, a beach bag, and other totes
appropriate for the occasion while men go empty-handed?
Shell stuff everything from snacks to sewing kit to toilet
paper in her bag. Hell shove his wallet in his pocket and
is good to go.
Women want to be prepared for any and every crisis
that may arise, while most men fgure they will fnd,
make, or otherwise produce whatever they need should
an emergency cross their path. Women dont understand
what seems to be neglect on the part of men, but that is
just the way it is.
We women can plan every move we are going to
make, but all the planning we do will not keep trouble
away. We can horde all the things on our persons, in our
cars, and in our houses that we think will make a problem
manageable, but they cannot dam up the food of emo-
tions that come with a crisis.
Only God knows what tomorrow brings, and only He
knows the tools we will need to get through any given
situation. No packet of tissues or pocket-size scissors are
going to be more useful than a spirit that is calm and
trusts in the Lord.
Lord, help me to carry a peace-flled spirit
with me at all times, and I will trust You to guide
me and to provide for my needs along any path
You may take me.
FRIDAY
MAY 24
Beans or Steak?
Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to
the way the LORD your God has blessed you.
DEUTERONOMY 16:17 NIV
At the harvest celebration, every Jew was to thank God with
a sacrifce according to the blessings Hed been given. Gods
Word assumes that every believer would receive a blessing of
some sort. At the very least, His people were alive because He
provided food for them. Those who didnt have much more
than that would bring a small but heartfelt offering. Others,
blessed with physical abundance, brought a generous offering
of much greater value.
Our blessings may not be the kind wed like: We may look
for extra money to pay off bills while God sends us spiritual
strength. But just as God provided for His Old Testament
people even in the years of lean harvests, He provides for us.
We may be eating more beans and rice than steak and
lobster, but isnt the former better for us in the long run?
While were looking for the good life, Gods looking at whats
good for us. Sometimes that means physical blessingbut
other times its a spiritual challenge.
No matter what our circumstances, God is blessing usif
were following Him with steadfastness. Lets bless Him in
return with our thanksgiving.
Lord, I thank You for the many blessings You give.
In exchange, I offer You the gift
of my heart and life.
SATURDAY
MAY 25
Where Did Sunday Go?
By the seventh day God had fnished the work he had been doing;
so on the seventh day he rested from his work. And God blessed the
seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the
work of creating that he had done.
GENESIS 2:23 NIV
Kate remembered that when she was growing up stores
were closed on Sunday. It was as if the whole country
held that day as sacred. Sunday even felt different, a day
set apart.
But now? Kate lamented one afternoon, while trying
to fnd a parking spot at the mall, that Sunday felt like
any other day. Overscheduled, overcommitted, running
from church (if sporting events didnt preclude it) to the
grocery store. Too often she woke up tired on Monday
morningsnot tired from lack of sleep but from a relent-
less pace.
And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy,
the Bible says. If God rested on that day, shouldnt I? Kate
wondered. And if it was meant to be a blessed day, was
Kate missing something God had in store for her?
From that afternoon on, Kate didnt go to stores on
Sunday. By planning ahead, she could have Sundays
meals taken care of and at least be prepared for Monday
school lunches. She noticed that she started the week
feeling renewed and refreshed, just the way the Lord
intended a Sabbath to be: a blessed day.
Lord, You gave us an example of Sabbath rest
for our goodspiritually and physically.
May we faithfully set aside Your day
for worship and rest. Amen.
SUNDAY
MAY 26
Tears
Jesus wept.
JOHN 11:35 NIV
Jesus wept. He cried when he heard the news of the death of
His good friend, Lazarus. Jesus knew He would bring Lazarus
back to life, yet His heart still broke with sadness. Jesus expe-
rienced sorrow Himself, and He knows the depth of our pain
when we lose someone or something important to us.
Grief is an intense emotion. Knowing that Jesus cried
helps us to accept our own weepingespecially when our
loss is still fresh.
Sometimes were embarrassed that our tears stream from
a seemingly bottomless well. Yet tears are so precious to God
that He records and stores each one. The psalm writer said,
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all
my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your
book (Psalm 56:8 NLT).
Jesus tears demonstrate Gods empathy as we go through
the grieving process. God cares deeply about our situation. He
desires to gather us in His arms. He understands the sorrow
and turmoil we feel when we experience serious heartache.
Crying is a natural response to deep pain and loss. Our
tears form wordless prayers connecting us with God. He knows
the depth of our sorrow. He comforts us with His love and His
tears.
Loving Lord, You know my tears. You value each of my
tears so much that You gather them in Your bottle and
write them in Your book. Thank You for understanding me.
MONDAY
MAY 27
MEMORIAL DAY
The Days of Your Yout

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil
days come and the years draw near when you will say, I have
no delight in them. Fear God and keep His commandments, because
this applies to every person. God will bring every act to judgment,
everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.
ECCLESIASTES 12:1, 1314
Most of us have encountered women who freely share
biblical truths handed down to them from their grand-
mothers or mothers. Is the faith being displayed in their
lives?
The Book of Ecclesiastes concludes with the admoni-
tion not only to remember our Creator when we are young,
but to continue following His precepts throughout our
time on earth. For nothing is sadder than to see those who
began the race of life with so much vigor and potential
now sitting on the sidelines watching the parade pass by.
High school reunions are great places to witness such
scenes. Those girls whose faces glowed with extraordinary
promise at eighteen may now display ones that appear
more like a map of New York City. Theyve been betrayed,
besieged, and bewildered by people promising much and
delivering little.
Have you forgotten the God of your youth? Have His
principles been compromised away by the pressures of a
world that teaches the Ten Commandments are optional?
With the Lords help, its not too late to turn it all around.
Lord, if I look back and see a trail of regret,
please give me the courage to change the view.
TUESDAY
MAY 28
For His Own Good
And we know that all things work together for good to them that
love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
ROMANS 8:28 KJV
One day, as Jesus walked down the dusty roads of Jerusalem,
He came upon a blind man. Jesus spat in the dust, made a
clay paste, and rubbed it on the mans eyes. When the man
washed the mud from his eyes, he could see!
Many people thought the sightless man was blind because
of sin in his parents lives. In response, Jesus said, Neither
this man nor his parents sinned. . .but this happened so that
the work of God might be displayed in his life (John 9:3 NIV).
It wasnt the dirt that held the healing powerwe never
fnd healing in the dirt of our lives. The miracle was in how
Jesus used the dirt. And so it is in our own lives. The dirt and
pain of life are simply tools that God uses.
Sometimes lifes circumstances cause us to cry out, Why,
Lord? Why? And Gods response is always the same: so that
His good work might be displayed in our lives. And like the
blind mans story, our storiesour testimonies of Gods in-
volvement in our livescould be the light that points some-
one else to true faith.
Father, help me to trust You more. Help me to see Your
hand at work and to let go of my desire for control.
May Your glory be displayed in my life for all to see.
WEDNESDAY
MAY 29
Present Help
For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who
say to you, Fear not, I am the one who helps you.
ISAIAH 41:13 ESV
We shake hands to greet each other; its a sign of wel-
come. We reach for the hand of a child when were walk-
ing in a crowd or near a street; it helps protect and com-
fort the child. In times of great emotion or anticipation,
we grab the hand of a nearby friend or family member; it
says, I am with you. By a hospital bed, we clasp the hand
of a sick loved one; our hand tells them we are present,
suffering with them. With every gripping of anothers
hand, we are bearing witness to God.
He holds your hand. He welcomes you into His king-
dom. He protects you. He comforts you. He is with you in
your most anxious moments and in your darkest hours.
With the clasp of His hand comes courage for any situa-
tion. He tells you not to fear, for He is your ever-present
help in times of trouble. He has a hold of you.
Almighty God, I am grateful that You hold my
hand. Forgive me for the times I have forgotten this
and let fear reign in my life. Help me to remember
I am never alone. Grant me the courage that comes
from knowing You as my helper.
THURSDAY
MAY 30
Beauty of te Beholder
So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he
created them; male and female he created them. . . . Then God looked over
all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!
GENESIS 1:27, 31 NLT
Janet looked in the mirror and winced. I shouldnt have eaten
that extra piece of cake, she thought as she pinched a bit of fat
around her waist.
Janets not alone. Women tend to fnd something wrong
with themselves, no matter how they actually look. Our noses
have bumps. Our hips are too large. Our eyes are too small for
our face. Weve got wrinkles where smooth skin used to be.
Though theres nothing wrong with presenting ourselves
in the best light, we should always remember one important
fact: God created us in His image. We dont have to look like
the models in a womens magazine to be beautiful. The One
who created us loves us exactly as we are!
Those little things we see as imperfections are actually
attractive to God. Just as we see our own kids as the most
adorable things, God sees us as His lovely children.
When it comes to self-image, lets not view our own per-
ceived faws as negatives. Lets see ourselves through Gods
eyes, remembering that His creation is always good.
Dear Lord, when I look in the mirror, remind me that I
was created in Your image and that, although I may not
always see myself as beautiful, You think I look very good.
FRIDAY
MAY 31
Jesus, te Good Shepherd
He who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep.
To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice,
and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.
JOHN 10:23
Sheep just arent very bright. They need constant oversee-
ing, tender treatment, and strict boundaries. The shepherd
took them to the best pastures, found safe lodging for them
during the night, and then led them out again in the morn-
ing. He was the ultimate caregiver!
In fact, the shepherd would stretch his own body out
across the opening to the sheep pen. What a graphic pic-
ture of protection this provides as we consider that Christ
considers Himself our Shepherd.
As the world screams out for us to follow every wind
of doctrine, Christs voice calls us back to obedience:
When he puts forth all his own, he goes before them,
and the sheep follow him because they know his voice
(John 10:4). His voice will never call us to rebellion, sinful
pleasures, or departure from His Word.
In our day we hear those who defend heinous acts by
saying, Voices told me to do it. Certainly the one they
chose to listen to was not the voice of Jesus Christ, for He
cannot contradict Himself. True sheep listen only for the
voice of their Shepherd.
God calls us by name, just as the shepherd has pet
names for his sheep. Someday, when the King of kings, our
Good Shepherd, calls us home to heaven, well hear the
name He calls us.
Lord, guide me to safe pastures today.
Never leave me.
SATURDAY
JUNE 1
Gods Mirror
Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.
PROVERBS 31:30 NLT
A woman admitted that she spent much of her attention
on how she looked and who was looking at her. She even
watched her refection in store windows to see how passersby
reacted as she walked down the street.
Her overwhelming focus on appearance was driven by a
fear of being alone. The woman was afraid that if she wasnt
outwardly attractive, she might not be loved. But she misun-
derstood what really determined her value.
Proverbs 31:30 shares a very important truth about charm
and beauty: They fade. If a woman relates to men primarily on
the basis of physical beauty, the couple will eventually be left
wanting. Much more fulflling is the womans spiritual focus.
May our minds be focused on the qualities that last:
honesty, faithfulness, loyalty, and spiritual growth. Mr. Right
defnes beauty as God doesand will value good personal
qualities above physical perfection.
Today, gaze into the mirror of scripture. Allow your
true beauty to be that inner beauty of soula refection of
Christthat never fades.
Father, thank You for the beauty that You refect from
my soul. Help me to place less importance on my
outward appearance and more value on the inner
qualities that You are developing in me.
SUNDAY
JUNE 2
Perfect Guidance
May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God
and into the steadfastness of Christ.
2 THESSALONIANS 3:5 NASB
A woman recalls the day she passed her drivers test many
years ago. My dad handed me the car keys and kissed
me on the cheek. I said, What was that for? He laughed
and said, Because, as bad as your sense of direction is, Ill
probably never see you again!
This is our predicament when we try to operate with-
out the Spirit of God. Its like trying to drive our car to an
unfamiliar destination without a map or GPS. We end up
making wrong turns and poor decisions. We drive around
and around in circles, and we dont bother to stop to ask
for directions.
Even before Jesus sent His Holy Spirit to indwell be-
lievers, God used a variety of means to guide His people.
He spoke to Israel through the prophets. He gave certain
individuals dreams and visions. God even gave the Israel-
ites a pillar of clouds by day and a pillar of fre by night in
which Gods Spirit dwelled to lead them out of Egypt into
the Promised Land.
Thanks to GPS technology in our automobiles, we
need never be lost on the road. Praise be to God for giv-
ing us His Spirit, who resides in us so that we need never
lose our direction as we navigate our way through life.
Thank You, Jesus, for sending Your Holy Spirit
to lead me in the right direction. Amen.
MONDAY
JUNE 3
When God Redecorates
God is the builder of everything.
HEBREWS 3:4 NIV
While planning to renovate the living room, a husband and
wife most wanted to change two large rectangular posts that
stood foor-to-ceiling in the middle of the room.
But the couples cautious contractor didnt remove the
posts. He explained that, without the posts as support, the
rooms ceiling could come crashing down.
Unlike that contractor, Godthe renovator of hearts
doesnt work cautiously. When He begins renovations, He re-
moves (or allows the removal of) all existing supports. Maybe
that support is healthours or a loved ones. Maybe its
our savings. Maybe its something else. Our lives, as we know
them, crash. We hurt. We dont know how we can go on.
But God knows. If we let Him, Hell replace the tempo-
rary supports wed relied onhealth, independence, ability,
you name itwith eternal spiritual supports like faith, surren-
der, and prayer. Those supports enable us to live a life of true
freedom, one abounding with spiritual blessing.
Lord, I am tempted to cling to the supports Ive erected.
When my life crashes, Im tempted to despair.
Please help me to be still and place my trust in You,
the great builder of all lives.
TUESDAY
JUNE 4
Isaiah, a Major Prophet
The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, concerning Judah and
Jerusalem which he saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz,
and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth;
for the LORD speaks, Sons I have reared and brought up, But they
have revolted against Me. My people do not understand.
ISAIAH 1:13
Had the word clueless been coined during Isaiahs life-
time, he would probably have used it to describe the
people of Israel who foolishly continued to abandon the
Lord. However, through the prophet Isaiah, God provides
extraordinary clues to His character. This prophet was
surely named appropriately, for Isaiah means Jehovah
saves or salvation of Jehovah.
Isaiahs very lifeblood would be poured out as he
brought this message of hope to Israel, for it is written that
he was sawed in two by Manasseh, the king of Judah who
reigned after Hezekiah (2 Kings 21:16).
Reading Isaiah provides a necessary heart check. Like
Israel, if we fail to turn from our defant ways, we must ask,
Where will you be stricken again, as you continue in your
rebellion? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart is
faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head there is
nothing sound in it, only bruises, welts, and raw wounds,
not pressed out or bandaged, nor softened with oil (Isaiah
1:56).
Lord, this book of prophecy displays Your promises
and prophecies. Open my mind to receive Your truth.
And keep me from confusion, that I might know
You as both Messiah and Lord.
WEDNESDAY
JUNE 5
Sowing te Wind
They sow the wind and they reap the whirlwind.
HOSEA 8:7 NASB
Admit it. Sometimes our jam-packed days leave us feeling
as if were running around like chickens with our heads cut
off. From the frst drop of morning coffee to the last sip of
evening tea, our days reel by in fast motion. The next thing we
know, a year has passed. Then two, then three. And what have
we done? Where are we?
And why are we running? Why are we constantly mov-
ing at warp speed, our feet barely touching the ground as the
world around us becomes a blur amid the busyness?
What is the point of our days? Are we chasing after for-
eign idols, proudly wearing a badge of busyness, worshipping
the almighty dollar, determined to keep one step ahead of the
Joneses?
Thats what the Israelites were doing when Hosea wrote,
They sow the wind and they reap the whirlwind. In sowing
the wind, nothing of everlasting value is produced, and we
end up with arms flled with temporal nothings.
As followers of Christ, we are to reap righteousness, keep-
ing our eyes on Jesus, for He is our ultimate prizenot that
new car, new house, or new wardrobe.
Dont lust for earthly idols that keep you from sowing the
right seedsthose of righteousness. Take a deep breath. Take
a long walk. Depart from the rat race. Relax in Gods arms.
Keep your eyes on Christ instead of worldly goods, and you
will reap not the earthly whirlwind but heavenly treasure.
God, keep my eyes on the right prizeYour Son, Jesus
Christ. Help me to slow down, walk in Your will, and
become a blessing in this world, always looking
toward the next. Amen.
THURSDAY
JUNE 6
Rachels Saddlebags
Rachel had taken the household gods and put them inside her
camels saddlebag and was sitting on them. Laban searched
through everything in the tent, but found nothing.
GENESIS 31:34 TNIV
Why did Rachel feel a compulsion to steal her fathers
household idols and hide them in her saddlebags? The
idols were probably little statues of gods common to the
time and culture. She risked the wrath of the true God
and jeopardized the safety of her family. Didnt she know
better, as the wife of Jacobthe great patriarch of Gods
nation of Israel?
From our twenty-frst-century vantage point, its easy
to wag a fnger at Rachel. Living in a western culture, we
fnd such idols, of sexualized bulls and multi-breasted
women, to be grotesque. But in Rachels day, those little
idols were pervasive, part of the culture. She didnt dis-
miss Jacobs Godshe just added to Him. Naive, igno-
rant, or sinful, she allowed idols to replace Gods primary
position in her life.
Household idols probably dont tempt us. But we can
all identify with Rachel. Think of the importance we place
on material things, fnancial security, our achievements
those ambitions can easily consume us! They can occupy
our thought life, fll our spare time, and become our lifes
focus.
Lets take care to keep God exactly where He belongs,
in frst place.
Lord, clean my house! Open my eyes to the
worthless idols in my life. Teach me
to desire only You.
FRIDAY
JUNE 7
What Are Your Gifts?
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.
There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
A woman felt called by God to help out at her church, but
she couldnt fgure out which ministry best suited her. While
some people were clearly Bible teachers, she was not. And
while some could sing, she didnt feel that was her gifting.
After spending time praying and seeking the Lord, she fnally
opted to work in childrens ministry. Shed always done well
with children, and she realized she could bless the little ones
and fulfll her calling, all at the same time.
Maybe you know what its like to search for your place.
Perhaps youve tried different ministries and still havent
fgured out your best place of service. Be patient. God has
placed specifc gifts within you, and you are needed in the
body of Christ. Although your gifts may be different from
someone elses, they are all from the same Spirit.
Today, thank the Lord for entrusting you with spiritual
gifts. If youre struggling to know where you ft, ask Him to
give you opportunities to minister in different areas until you
fnd just the right spot.
Lord, thank You for pouring out Your Spirit on me,
and thank You for the gifts Youve placed within me.
I want to reach others for You, so place me in the
very spot where I can be most effective.
SATURDAY
JUNE 8
Life Preservers
My comfort in my suffering is this: your promise preserves my life.
PSALM 119:50 NIV
Its the law for boaters in many states: Always wear your
life preserver. The purpose is simple. A life preserver
keeps people afoatand their heads above water
should they accidentally fall overboard. The devices
buoyancy can even keep an unconscious person afoat in
a face-up position as long as its worn properly.
In the diffculties of life, God is our life preserver.
When we are battered by the waves of trouble, we can ex-
pect God to understand and to comfort us in our distress.
His Word, like a buoyant life preserver, holds us up in the
bad times.
But the life preserver only works if you put it on
before your boat sinks. To get into Gods life jacket, put
your arms into the sleeves of prayer and tie the vest with
biblical words. God will surround you with His love and
protectioneven if youre unconscious of His presence.
He promises to keep our heads above water in the storms
of living.

Preserving God, I cling to You as my life preserver.
Keep my head above the turbulent water of
caregiving so I dont drown. Bring me
safely to the shore.
SUNDAY
JUNE 9
An Invitation to Dine
The Kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king, who gave a wedding
feast for his son. And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited
to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come.
MATTHEW 22:23
Have you ever given a dinner party only to have your guests
cancel at the last minute? Perhaps they didnt even offer a
decent excuse. Youre seething inside. Youve worked all day
long to prepare your home for these ungrateful people, who
will surely never be invited again.
When God sent His Son to earth, He invited all men and
women to a wedding feast. Those who accept the invitation
become part of the Church. And the Church is the bride of
Christ. But there are many who have offered feeble excuses for
their lack of faith.
The Son is the Bridegroom for whom the wedding feast is
prepared. God Himself has laid the groundwork in the hearts
that will respond to His Son, Jesus Christ.
There will be an appointed hour in the future when the
guests will come to the banquet. And Christ will call them
forth to be His Church when all is made ready, after His Res-
urrection and Ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit at
Pentecost.
Also, those in attendance receive wedding clothes. Jesus
Christ now clothes them in His righteousness. Those not wear-
ing these garments are cast out because they refused Christs
invitation, and in so doing, have rejected His salvation.
Lord, Youve invited me to dine with You. Let me
graciously accept my wedding clothes.
MONDAY
JUNE 10
A Shadow of te Past
Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house
shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent.
JOSHUA 6:17 TNIV
Rahab lived in the city of Jericho. When Israelite spies
came to her home, she hid them under fax on the roof
until they could make a fast getaway. In return, they
promised her safety during the coming siege of the city.
True to their word, the spies saved Rahab and her fam-
ily from Jerichos doom. Rahab apparently converted to
Judaism, married an Israelite, and became part of the
lineage of King Davidand, eventually, of Jesus Christ.
And Rahab had been a prostitute in Jericho.
That fact was part of her story. But Rahab wasnt
trapped by her past. Her past didnt hold her back. It
may have hurt her, but it didnt shape her. She was used
by God. Her name has come down to us centuries later
because of her bold faith.
We all have to deal with a past. All of us! Disappoint-
ments, poor choices, dysfunctional families, parents who
failed us, husbands who harmed us. God is able to bring
good from even those years that were painful. By the
grace and power of God we can make choices in the pres-
ent that can affect our future.
There is transforming power with God. We have hope,
no matter what lies behind us.
Holy Spirit, You are always at work. Dont ever
stop! Show me a new way, Lord. Help me to make
healthier choices for myself and my family. Thank
You for Your renewing presence in my life.
TUESDAY
JUNE 11
Toss Those Boxing Gloves!
Avoiding a fght is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.
PROVERBS 20:3 NLT
A woman struggled in her relationship with a particular friend.
Though theyd known each other for years, they often found
themselves disagreeing on things, sometimes even arguing.
Whenever they got together, their quiet conversations evolved
into heated discussions. Their personalities were vastly different,
and they both tended to be a little stubborn. Neither wanted to
give in, even though the things they argued about were some-
times silly. Would they ever just get along without all the quarrel-
ing?
Maybe youre in a complicated relationship with a friend.
Perhaps she brings out the worst in you. She gets you stirred
up. And yet, you love her. You dont want to see the friendship
come to an end. What can be done to salvage it?
As with any relational issue, you approach it with a
servants heart. Youve got to follow the golden ruledoing
unto others as you would have them do unto you. And youve
got to love others as you would love yourself. This is tough
to do when youre arguing. But just how important is it to
prove your pointin the grand scheme of things? Important
enough to sacrifce a friendship? Surely not.
Lord, I ask You today to be at the center of my
friendships, especially the diffcult ones. Show me what
to say and what not to say to avoid strife. Give me Your
heart toward my friends.
WEDNESDAY
JUNE 12
Do We Need to Do It All?
I have glorifed thee on the earth:
I have fnished the work which thou gavest me to do.
JOHN 17:4 KJV
On the night before Jesus was crucifed, He offered a
bold prayer to the heavenly Father. He prayed for Himself,
His disciples, and us. In that prayer, He declared that He
had fnished the work the Father gave Him to do, and in
so doing, He glorifed the Father.
Although Jesus did all the Father required, did Jesus do
it all?
No.
Jesus did not heal every crippled, blind, or demon-
possessed person He encountered. Nor did He save
everyone who came to Him. More than once the
unbelieving departed, and He let them go.
Early in Jesus ministry, He explained His method: He
could do nothing of Himself; He worked where He saw the
Father working. He never went rashly ahead of the Father.
This should be our pattern.
We women often think that because we can do some-
thing, we should do it. We listen to the worlds chant that
we can do it all.
Simply because we can do all things through Christ
doesnt mean He is calling us to do everything.
If we would be like Jesus, we will do only the work
the Father gives us, not all the work we can do.
Dear Father, give me eyes to see where You
are working so that I may work with You.
Help me rebuff the worlds temporal demands
so that I can focus on heavenly duties that
bring eternal rewards. Amen.
THURSDAY
JUNE 13
In God We Trust
Moses summoned all the Israelites and said to them, You have seen with
your own eyes everything the LORD did. . . . For forty years I led you
through the wilderness, yet your clothes and sandals did not wear out. . .
so you would know that he is the LORD your God.
DEUTERONOMY 29:26 NLT
Each election season, political candidates tickle the ears of
listeners by vowing to take care of their constituents. One
promises to cut taxes. Another promises to fx health care and
give the middle class relief.
But there is a graveyard where political promises typically
go to die. When in offce, many politicians get distracted by
lobbyists or their partys leaders. And we are disappointed
once again.
Still, its our duty and privilege as citizens to vote. But
whether we line up with the conservative or liberal side of
politics, we must not trust in governmentor any politi-
cianto save us. Jesus Christ is the only Savior. And He never
breaks any of His promises.
When the children of Israel suffered under their Egyp-
tian oppressors, God freed them with signs and wonders.
Then for forty years they wandered in the desert, and each
day they had just enough food and water to sustain them.
God will do the same for us. He will clothe, feed, shelter,
and rescue us from those who try to oppress us. What govern-
ment cantor wontdo, God will. Put your trust in Him.
Lord, thank You that You promise to take
care of us. Help us not to put too much trust
in men or agencies.
FRIDAY
JUNE 14
FLAG DAY
Jesus Raises Lazarus
Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany. . . . The sisters
therefore sent to Him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.
JOHN 11:1, 3
When we hear that a good friend is critically ill we run
to his side. Why then does Jesus tarry? But when Jesus
heard it, He said, This sickness is not unto death, but for
the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorifed by
it (John 1:4).
Obviously, this remark puzzled His disciples. They had
honestly laid out the situation for Him. Lazarus was about
to breathe his last. And yet Christ seemed to be denying
the gravity of the situation. We can almost picture Mary
and Martha wringing their hands and consoling each other
that soon Jesus would be there and everything would be
all right again.
Instead, Jesus took His time getting there, four days
as a matter of fact. And when He did arrive, Lazarus had
been buried! Now Christ was only a few miles away from
Bethany. It took all the human restraint He possessed not
to run to Lazaruss aid. But Jesus has, as always, a greater
purpose.
At the tomb of His friend Jesus called: Lazarus, come
forth (John 11:43). And Lazarus arose from the tomb and
walked out, his grave clothes dangling from his body. Have
you allowed Christ to exercise His authority to bring you
forth to new life?
Lord, strengthen my faith so that when
tragedy strikes, I know that You are the
Resurrection and the Life.
SATURDAY
JUNE 15
Daughter of te King
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
GALATIANS 3:26 NIV
Galatians 3:2629 is packed with statements about who you
are as a Christian. You are Abrahams seed. You are an heir
according to Gods promise. And best of all, you are a child
of God. Galatians reminds us that there is no male or female,
race, or social status in the Lords eyes. Believers are truly one
in Christ.
You may have had a wonderful upbringing with loving
parents. Or you may not have been as fortunate. You may have
spent years in the foster system or had abusive parents.
Whether your childhood refected love or abandonment,
there is good news! As a Christian, you are a daughter of the
King of kings, the Lord of lords, the sovereign God. He is
the One who hung the stars in the sky, and yet He knows the
number of hairs on your head. You are not just Gods friend
or distant relative. You are His daughter!
If you have a child of your own, consider the uncondi-
tional love you feel for him or her. As intense as that love
is, because you are human, you are limited in your ability
to love. In contrast, God loves us in a way we will not fully
understand until we reach heaven. He is our Abba Father, our
Daddy.
Thank You, Father, for adopting me through Christ as
Your daughter. Teach me to live as a refection of my
Fathers love. Amen.
SUNDAY, JUNE 16
FATHERS DAY
Ive Fallen and I Can t Get Up
The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.
PROVERBS 24:16 NLT
Years ago, a famous television commercial depicted an
elderly woman who had fallen, but, try as she might, she
just couldnt get back up. Thankfully, she wore a device
that connected her to an outside source of help. All she
had to do was push the button! The dear grandma was
just one click away from rescue.
In our lives, too, there are times when we fall down
not physically, but emotionally, spiritually, and relationally.
We fall in our attempts to parent; we fall in our struggle
with particular temptations. We may fall as we try to climb
the ladder of success or in our effort to lead a consistently
godly life.
But in whatever area we wrestle, however many times
we fall, our heavenly Father never gives up on us. He never
leaves us to ourselves, to stagger to our feet alone. God is
always present with us, encouraging us to keep tryingre-
gardless of past failurespicking us up, dusting us off, and
setting us on our way again.
He is better than any button we could ever push!
Heavenly Father, its such a comfort to know You
will never leave me or forsake me. You are closer
than the clothes I wear. I love You, Lord.
MONDAY
JUNE 17
Expect Trouble
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might
have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation:
but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
JOHN 16:33 KJV
Why do bad things happen to good people? It is an age-old
question. Sometimes we expect God to surround us with an
invisible shield that keeps us from all harm and disease, all
hurt and disappointment. As nice as this might sound, it is
simply not how life works. Christians are not exempt from
trials.
In the Gospel of John, we read that Christ told his fol-
lowers to expect trouble in this world. The good news is that
we do not have to face it alone. When trials come, remember
that Jesus has overcome this world. Through Him, we, too, are
overcomers. Draw upon the promise that through Christ you
can do all things. The childrens song says it this way: Jesus
loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to
Him belong. They are weak, but He is strong.
Expect trouble, but refuse to let it defeat you. Trials
strengthen our faith and our character. No one gets excited
about a trial, yet we can be assured that God is still in control
even when trouble comes our way.
Lord Jesus, be my strength as I face trouble in this life.
Walk with me. Hold my hand. Assure me that in my
weakness, You are strong. Amen.
TUESDAY
JUNE 18
A Counselor for te Troubled
In My Fathers house are many dwelling places.
JOHN 14:2
Jesus Christ has promised to prepare a place for us in
heaven. Does it get any better than that? The only prob-
lem is that we have to wait down here until Hes got our
mansion ready for us. There are days when its so hard
to stay tied to earth, especially with the realization that a
perfect place exists.
My father-in-law is now in the last stages of emphyse-
ma and each breath is excruciating for him. Consequently,
weve talked about his true future elsewhere. What if I
dont like it there? he posed during one of our conver-
sations. I responded, How can you possibly think you
wont?
Heaven is truly the place where God exists. John,
the gospel writer, was given a vision of heaven so that we
might know what it looks like. Gods Spirit inspired him
to record it in the Book of Revelation.
Behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sit-
ting on the throne. And He who was sitting was like a jasper
stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow
around the throne, like an emerald in appearance. . . . And
from the throne proceed fashes of lightning and sounds
and peals of thunder (Revelation 4:23, 5).
Entertainers use special effects to hold the attention
of their audiences. But God has the ultimate perfor-
mance already prepared for us.
Lord, thank You for the Holy Spirit,
who brings us peace and comfort until
we can be united with You in heaven.
WEDNESDAY
JUNE 19
The Waiting Game
I wait for you, O LORD; you will answer, O Lord my God.
PSALM 38:15 NIV
Some researchers have estimated that Americans spend as
much as two to three years of their lives waiting in line. We
wait at the bank, the supermarket, the theater, and the airport.
We wait for our paychecks, for Friday, and for vacation. It
seems we are always waiting for something.
Waiting on God is just as hard. What are you waiting
for today? Perhaps its for fnancial deliverance, for a spouse,
to fnish school, or for your next big break. Perhaps youre
waiting for the results of a medical test or news from your
loved one in the military. Waiting can be downright agonizing.
But Gods Word tells us to wait patientlywith peace. Easier
said than done, right? Rather than sighing with impatience,
try praying, reading scripture, and making your waiting time
productive and meaningful.
Gods timing is certainly not ours. But as we wait on Him,
we can be confdent that He is never too early and never
too late. Wait patiently and with confdence. God will come
through.
Heavenly Father, when the waiting seems unbearable,
remind me that Your timing
is always perfect. Amen.
THURSDAY
JUNE 20
Charm Bracelet
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
self-control; against such things there is no law.
GALATIANS 5:2223 NASB
A charm bracelet is a beautiful way to commemorate
milestones or special events. A dangling baby bootie, a
tiny graduation cap, a pair of wedding bells, or a palm tree
from Cancun are all commonly treasured trinkets. Each
tiny charm signifes a huge achievement.
We are told in Galatians that the marks of the Holy
Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It takes constant
growth, through a consistent pursuit of godliness, to ac-
quire these character traits. It is a struggle to walk consis-
tently in patience, always showing love and kindness to
people. Self-control is another struggle all its own. These
things do not come easily to most of us, and they require
concentrated effort.
Consider your spiritual charm bracelet. If you had a
charm to represent your growth in each of those traits,
how many would you feel comfortable attaching to your
bracelet in representation of that achievement? Ask your
Father which areas in your Christian walk need the most
growth. Do you need to develop those traits more strongly
before you feel comfortable donning your bracelet?
Lord, please show me which milestones of
Christian living I need to focus on in order to have
the full markings of the Holy Spirit in my life.
Please help me to grow into the Christian woman
You call me to be. Amen.
FRIDAY
JUNE 21
FIRST DAY OF SUMMER
Attitude Is Everyting
A cheerful disposition is good for your health;
gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.
PROVERBS 17:22 MSG
A large banner hung in the classroom where Andrea was
substitute teaching. In bold red letters, the banner read:
Attitude is a little thing that makes a BIG difference! Andrea
stood in the doorway as the middle school students fled into
the English class. Just before the bell rang, the last student
entered the classroom. She was in a motorized wheelchair,
and Andrea could not help but notice that the girl had no legs.
Good morning, the teenager said with a broad smile
across her face. Im Jenny. Are you subbing for Mrs. Brown-
ing today? She was the only student who had greeted An-
drea.
Have you ever noticed that many people with serious
hardships in life choose to make lemonade from the lemons
life has dealt them? Scientifc studies of terminal patients
indicate that a positive attitude infuences the quantity and
quality of their fnal days. Many books have been written on
the power of positive thinking. The Bible was around long be-
fore any of these books, and this proverb still rings true today.
Sometimes we have to fake it till we feel it. Experiment
with this strategy today. Put a smile on your face when you
feel discouraged over a setback or frustrated about an incon-
venience. A cheerful heart is good medicine.
Father, thank You for this day You have given me.
Create in me a happy heart. Amen.
SATURDAY
JUNE 22
Aiding te Enemy
Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria!
for he would recover him of his leprosy.
2 KINGS 5:3 KJV
The young girl screamed as the burly Syrian soldier
hauled her onto his shoulder like a sack of grain, far away
from the only home she had known. She never saw her
parents or baby brother again.
Still, the girl prayed every night to the God of Israel,
as her parents taught her. She found herself a slave in
the household of Naaman, the scary captain of the sol-
diers who kidnapped her. But his lovely wife talked to her
kindly. Little by little, the girls fears subsided. She even
pitied her master. Despite his great victories, Naaman suf-
fered from leprosy, a sad fact that dimmed her mistresss
smile.
Elisha, the prophet in Israel, could make him well!
the girl told her.
Naamans wife gave him her maids strange advice;
the desperate soldier traveled to see Elisha, who told him
to wash in the Jordan River. After Naaman swallowed his
initial stubbornness, he found, to his amazement, that the
God of Israel had healed him.
The Lord did not forget the young girl, alone in a dif-
fcult world. And the lessons her parents had taught her
made a difference not only in her life, but also in the lives
of unbelievers around her.
Father, I do not know the paths I will take,
whether happy or sad. But please let the truths
You have taught me glorify You.
SUNDAY
JUNE 23
An Intimate Conversation
And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God,
and Jesus Christ whom Thou has sent. I glorifed Thee on earth,
having accomplished the work which Thou hast given Me to do.
And now, glorify Thou Me together with Thyself, Father,
with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was.
JOHN 17:35
Have you ever unwittingly overheard an intimate conversa-
tion? Well, thats exactly what this chapter of John is like. We
are privileged to overhear Jesus as He speaks to the Father.
Christ was with the Father before the world was. That
makes Him not only eternal but equal with the Father. These
are the claims Jesus made to the Pharisees who constantly
confronted Him concerning His origin.
Christs prayer to the Father also includes concern for
whom the Father has given to Him. I manifested Thy name
to the men whom Thou gavest Me out of the world; Thine they
were, and Thou gavest them to Me, and they have kept Thy
Word (John 17:6). Notice that these are the people who
respond to Gods message and keep His Word.
Then Jesus also asks the Father to keep us in His name.
Holy Father, keep them in Thy name, the name which Thou
has given Me, that they may be one, even as We are (John
17:11). Christ prayed that Gods power would keep us from be-
ing swayed by the world and the evil one (John 17:15).
Lord Jesus Christ, I acknowledge
You as God and Savior.
MONDAY
JUNE 24
Faitful One
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,
for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we
may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
HEBREWS 10:2324 NIV
When we have painful questions, therapists and counsel-
ors often have answers. Their offces overfow with hurt-
ing people looking for those answers.
But the people who offer the most practical and
benefcial advice are those who have walked in our
shoesand who kept walking even when their soles wore
through.
Such people have helped usand we, in turn, can
help others. We may feel as if we have nothing to offer,
but thats simply not so. As women who have traveled the
potholed road of life, we can be a blessing to others just
lacing up their sneakers for the journey.
By holding tightly to the hope we have, we can beneft
those around us who are struggling to fnd hope of their
own. We can spur another hurting woman on to love and
goodness and, in so doing, help ourselves better under-
stand the God in whom our hope lies.
Dear Jesus, I know You are faithfulbut I often
forget that. Sometimes I wander in a direction
that does not encourage others to love or do good.
Please forgive me and help me to hold tighter
to that which I know is true. Show me how to
live every minute today to spur others
toward Your love tomorrow.
TUESDAY
JUNE 25
God Has Left te Building
And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.
LUKE 23:45 NIV
On the day of Christs death on the cross, all of creation was
affected as the earth shook and the skies turned black. Inside
the Jerusalem temple, the thick curtain separating the people
from the inner room was split in two by a power unknown to
man.
God, who had dwelled in the temple, the holy of holies,
and had talked to Zechariah there (Luke 1), left the build-
ing when the curtain ripped on crucifxion day. He left a
man-made structure to go and make a new home inside each
individual who would invite Him in.
No longer did people have to physically move to Him to
offer sacrifces and pray. Now God came to each individual on
a personal level that was never known before. He made Him-
self accessible to anyone in any country on any continent.
God is an unchanging God who seeks relationship with
us just as He did throughout biblical history. But we no lon-
ger have to walk the streets of Jerusalem to fnd Gods Spirit.
He comes to us and fnds us just where we are.
Holy God, I invite You to make Your temple within me.
I pledge that all I do will show honor to You
and give You praise.
WEDNESDAY
JUNE 26
Slipped Moorings
But Jonah ran away from the LORD. . . . He went down to Joppa,
where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare,
he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to fee from the LORD.
JONAH 1:3 NIV
Has God ever made it clear that He wants you to head in
a certain directionone you just balk at? Maybe fear flls
your heart as you think of a move, or doubts weigh heav-
ily on you as you consider your future prospects.
You may not run down to Joppa and fnd a ship, but
you do fnd yourself slipping away from the center of His
will. Maybe Bible study becomes harder or you think of
things to do that dont involve the church. New, unbeliev-
ing friends may begin to attract you.
Though you have never gone aboard ship, you are
heading for Tarshish. As your spiritual ship slips its moor-
ings, you are sailing in a dangerous direction.
Before you leave port, consider your course and head
back to shore. For, like Jonah, you cant evade God. Wher-
ever you go, Hell be there already, calling you back to
Himself. But the adventure you face frst may be no more
pleasant than Jonahs visit in a whales belly.
You can walk away from God, but you cant escape
Him. Even if you did, you would fnd yourself in a very
lonely spot. A huge piece of your heart, Gods piece,
would be missing.
Turn my heart always to You, Lord.
I never want to leave You. Amen.
THURSDAY
JUNE 27
Well of Salvation
With joy you

will draw water from the wells of salvation.
ISAIAH 12:3 ESV
In biblical times, wells were of great importance. Digging
a well meant you planned to stay at a place. Owning a well
meant your family possessed the surrounding countryside.
Wells were gathering places and landmarks. People went to
the well daily to get water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
A well was essential to life for man and beast.
Our salvation is also a well. In it is not only our eternal
life, but also our abundant life while we live on earth. Christ
is the living water, continually refreshing and nourishing us,
giving life to our bodies and souls. He is strength when we
are weak, wisdom when we are foolish, hope when we are
despondent, and life when we are dying.
Just as a bucket is lowered into a deep well, what begins
as a descent into unknown darkness and depth becomes the
means by which we draw up the water of life. Colossians 2:12
(CEV) says, When you were baptized, it was the same as being
buried with Christ. Then you were raised to life because you
had faith in the power of God, who raised Christ from death.
We have died with Christ and now we live, but daily we need
to go the well of our salvation, remembering our need for
Jesus life, and drawing out the living water with joy.
Lord, thank You for saving me. Thank You for being
the living water, my continual source of peace, comfort,
strength, and joy. Cause me to remember that
my life is hidden in Yours.
FRIDAY
JUNE 28
Question te Witnesses
The high priest therefore questioned Jesus about His disciples,
and about His teaching. Jesus answered him, I have spoken openly
to the world; I always taught in synagogues, and in the temple,
where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret.
Why do you question Me? Question those who have heard
what I spoke to them; behold, these know what I said.
JOHN 18:1921
In our courts of law the jury is instructed to listen care-
fully and then weigh the testimony in order to make a
proper judgment. Christ calls the high priest to do the
same.
How do we respond to the truth of Christs testimony?
How we treat His messengers is, in effect, a measure of
our acceptance of Him.
Jesus Christ didnt come for a few souls; He presented
the Gospel message openly for all to hear. Teaching in the
Jewish temple, which was frequented not only by those
who sought knowledge but also those in search of an
explanation of the truth, Jesus provided both.
As we go out into a world that is hostile to the Gospel
message, there are those who listen to our testimony and
then draw near to its refreshing waters. Others sit on the
riverbanks, vowing that nothing will force them to make
a life change. And then there are those who deny the
metamorphosis has even taken place. Their hearts are
closed to receive the truth.
Lord, break down my walls of stubbornness that
prevent me from hearing, seeing,
and rallying to Your message.
SATURDAY
JUNE 29
Sabbat Queen
Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
EXODUS 20:8 MSG
Weekends are a time to catch up on chores. A time to get
some sunshine and to work in the yard. A time to sort laundry
and wash clothes. A time to grocery shop and plan menus. A
time to sort paperwork and pay bills.
For Sharon, weekends are also a time to do a little extra
work for her job, to get ahead by responding to work e-mails
and phone calls, to sort through papers, set goals, and prepare
presentations.
But something has gone wrong. Sharon is worn out. Joy
has been wrung from her soul. Her forty-hour workweek has
grown to sixtyand she is burned out.
What happened to the Sabbath?
Nan Fink, in Stranger in the Midst, wrote, Shabbat is like
nothing else. Time as we know it does not exist for these
twenty-four hours, and the worries of the week soon fall away.
A feeling of joy appears. The smallest object, a leaf or a spoon,
shimmers in a soft light, and the heart opens. Shabbat is a
meditation of unbelievable beauty.
Lauren F. Winner, a messianic Jew and author of Mud-
house Sabbath, wrote, We spoke of the day as Shabbat ha-
Malka, the Sabbath Queen, and we sang hymns of praise on
Friday night that welcomed the Sabbath as a bride.
Shabbat. Quiet. Holy. Worship.
Welcome the Sabbath Queen to your home this week.
Lord, help me practice a rhythm of rest and restoration,
weekly welcoming the Sabbath, restoring order and
worship to my weary soul. Amen.
SUNDAY
JUNE 30
Shake It Off
Then [Paul simply] shook off the small creature into
the fre and suffered no evil effects.
ACTS 28:5 AMP
How many times do we make a mistake and confess it to
the Lord, then continue to punish ourselves with guilt
and condemnation? Psalm 103:12 tells us that God will
remove our transgressions as far as the east is from the
west.
When we make a mistakeand we all dowe should
be like the apostle Paul. Immediately shake it off. Dont
worry about it or allow guilt to grow. God removed the sin
and no longer thinks about it. Why should we?
By immediately shaking a snake off his hand, Paul
avoided harm. The vipers intentions were to infect Paul
with poison and make him ill. Paul recognized the danger
and immediately went into action, shaking it off. After-
ward, he didnt worry over it. Instead, he went about help-
ing the people on the island of Malta.
Dont allow your mistakes to so worry or condemn
you that you cant be helpful to others around you. The
poison of stress and worry will harm us if we allow it to
penetrate our hearts and minds. Follow Pauls example:
Shake it off.
Dear Lord, thank You for cleansing me of my sins.
I will not worry or feel condemned any longer.
Thank You, Lord, for helping me to shake things
off and suffer no evil effects.
MONDAY
JULY 1
You Are What You Cling To
Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
ROMANS 12:9 NIV
The invention of superglue was revolutionary, because the
glue has the ability to bond immediately with a variety of
materials. That is wonderful news if your grandmothers por-
celain vase breaks in half. But superglue must be used with
extreme caution. Accidents can happen in a split second. If
the tiniest drop falls in the wrong place, two items will unin-
tentionally and permanently bond.
What are we cemented to? Bonding takes place as we
draw close to something. Choose to cling to what is good and
avoid evil at all costs. We should not even firt with sin, be-
cause it can quickly get a foothold in our lives. Like superglue
in the wrong place, we could unintentionally fnd ourselves in
bondage by embracing temptation. What may seem innocent
at the time could destroy us.
Beware of your temptations. Know your areas of vulner-
ability and avoid them. If you struggle with unhealthy eating
habits, do not buy tempting foods. If gossip is a temptation,
avoid the company of friends that enjoy passing on tidbits
about others. If overspending is an issue, stay away from the
mall. Instead, draw close to the Lord. Allow Him to satisfy
your deepest longings. When we cling to good, evil loses its
grip.
Dear Lord, help me avoid temptation. May I draw close
to You so I can cling to good and
avoid evil in my life. Amen.
TUESDAY
JULY 2
Quick and Slow
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen,
slow to speak and slow to become angry, for mans anger does not
bring about the righteous life that God desires.
JAMES 1:1920 NIV
Kindergartners learning traffc signals know that yellow
means slow down. James 1:1920 also is a yellow light!
Have you wished, after a conversation with a friend,
that you had not given that unsolicited advice? Your
friend needed a listening ear, but you attempted to fx her
problem instead.
Have you raced through a hectic day, only to end it
by taking out your frustrations on family members or
friends? Or perhaps you have borne the brunt of some-
one elses anger and reacted in the same manner, thus
escalating the situation. Later, when tempers calmed, you
found yourself regretting the angry outburst.
Too often words escape before we know what we are
saying. Like toothpaste that cannot be put back in the
tube, once words are spoken it is impossible to take them
back. Words, whether positive or negative, have a lasting
impact.
Practice being quick and slow todayquick to listen,
slow to speak, slow to become angry.
God, grant me the patience, wisdom, and grace I
need to be a good listener. Remind me also, Father,
to use my words today to lift others up rather than
to tear them down. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
JULY 3
Dependence Day
Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all fesh will
see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
ISAIAH 40:5
No, todays title is not misspelled, and no, Im not thinking of
Independence Day. Only when we are totally dependent on
our Redeemer are we are truly free!
Carefully woven throughout chapters forty to sixty-six of
Isaiah are specifc portraits of Christ, presented by the names
He called Himself throughout His ministry on earth. Like a
shepherd He will tend His fock, in His arm He will gather the
lambs, and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the
nursing ewes (Isaiah 40:11).
Then we see Him as the Counselor. Who has directed the
Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has informed Him?
(Isaiah 40:13).
We can know Him as Creator. Do you not know? Have
you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator
of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His
understanding is inscrutable (Isaiah 40:28).
Jesus is the First and the Last. Who has performed and
accomplished it, calling forth the generations from the begin-
ning? I, the Lord, am the frst, and with the last. I am He
(Isaiah 41:4). Christ clarifes this further in Revelation 1:8:
I am the Alpha and Omega, says the Lord God, who is and
who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
Lord Jesus, I rejoice in the words from Isaiah 53: 4-6, that
You came to be my Redeemer.
Hallelujah! Amen!
THURSDAY
JULY 4
INDEPENDENCE DAY
The Heart Test
You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night;
You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed
that my mouth shall not transgress.
PSALM 17:3 NKJV
Youve probably heard a voice on television announce,
This is a test. For the next sixty seconds, this station will
be conducting a test of the emergency broadcast system.
Then the screen would go black and a high-pitched
tone would come over the airways. Well, life conducts its
own tests, sometimes. Some we pass; others we struggle
through.
If youre in a season of emotional testingof heart-
break or disappointmentdont allow your heart to
become hardened. Dont allow bitterness to creep in. Do
your best to pass the test, even if its a hard one.
Let God do the work He wants to do in youpurg-
ing, purifying, and penetrating. Listen to His This is a test
whisper, then stand frm. Dont yield to the temptation to
give up or to say its not worth it.
Take another look at todays encouraging scripture.
How amazing to realize you really can come through the
trials of life transgression-free. What a wonderfuland
realisticgoal.

Lord, sometimes I feel like my heart is being tested
by circumstances, relationships, or even by You.
I want to make it through the testing period
without falling apart. Help me to stand strong
in what I know to be true.
FRIDAY
JULY 5
Board Gods Boat
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they
did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, Come with
me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.
MARK 6:3132 NIV
Are you missing the boat to a quieter place of rest with
God? You mean to slow down, but your church, work, and
family responsibilities pile higher than a stack of recyclable
newspapers. Just when you think a free moment is yours, the
phone rings, a needy friend stops by, or your child announces
she needs you to bake cookies for tomorrows school fund-
raiser.
The apostles ministered tirelesslyso much so, they had
little time to eat. As they gathered around Jesus to report
their activities, the Lord noticed that they had neglected to
take time for themselves. Sensitive to their needs, the Savior
instructed them to retreat by boat with Him to a solitary place
of rest where He was able to minister to them.
Often we allow the hectic pace of daily life to drain us
physically and spiritually, and in the process, we deny our-
selves time alone to pray and read Gods Word. Meanwhile,
God patiently waits.
So perhaps its time to board Gods boat to a quieter
place and not jump ship!
Heavenly Father, in my hectic life Ive neglected time
apart with You. Help me to board Your boat and stay
afoat through spending time in Your Word
and in prayer. Amen.
SATURDAY
JULY 6
Ideal Place
For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many
wise according to the fesh, not many mighty, not many noble;
but God has chosen the foolish things of the world.
1 CORINTHIANS 1:2627
Once my life is running smoothly. . .
If I didnt have toddlers underfoot. . .
As soon as I get this anger problem under control. . .
When I get enough money. . .
As soon as I (fll in the blank). . .then I can be used by God.
We are where we are, when we are, because our Father
chose us for such a time as this. Our steps are ordered by
Him. Whether He has called us to teach a Sunday school
class, pray with other women, lead a Bible study, or sing
in the choirwe need not wait for the ideal time and
place to serve Him. The only ideal is where you are right
now.
God delights in using His peopleright in the
middle of all that appears crazy and wrong and hopeless.
Now is the time to serve God, not next week or next year
or when things get better. He wants our cheerful, obedi-
ent service right in the midst ofeven in spite ofour
diffcult circumstances.
Father, help me see that there is no ideal place or
circumstance to serve You. You can, and will, use me
right where I am. Thank You that I do not have to
have it all together to be used by You.
SUNDAY
JULY 7
Fear of te Lord
The fear of the LORD leads to life:
Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
PROVERBS 19:23 NIV
Eight-year-old Elizabeth had a healthy fear of her father. Oh,
she loved him, called him Daddy, and climbed up into his
lap for hugs and kisses each day when he came home from
work. But she also knew that when Daddy said to do some-
thing, he meant business.
Once, when playing in the front yard, Elizabeth lost her
ball. It went bouncing into the street, and she ran after it. Just
then, her father yelled out, Stop! Because of training and
discipline her parents had poured into Elizabeth from a very
young age, she heeded the warning and stopped at the curb
just as a car sped by.
A healthy fear of their earthly parents is good for chil-
dren. This type of fear might also be considered honor or
respect.
To fear the Lord is to respect Him and acknowledge that
His ways are best for us. Our Abba Father, a gracious and lov-
ing God, is also a just and mighty God who is saddened, and
even angered, by continuous, deliberate sin.
Proverbs sums it up in one verse: Fear the Lord. Live.
Rest content, untouched by trouble. Consider the alternative.
Which will you choose?
Lord, I respect You. Help me to acknowledge that
You are God, You know best, and You have given me
guidelines by which to live. Amen.
MONDAY
JULY 8
Jonatan, Faitful to te End
Now the Philistines were fghting against Israel, and the men of Israel
fed from before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa.
And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons; and the Philistines
killed Jonathan and Abinadab and Malachi-shua the sons of Saul.
1 SAMUEL 31:12
Who has faithfully stood beside you through lifes tri-
umphs and tragedies? For David this person was Jona-
than.
Jonathan walked a tightrope, remaining faithful to
God, to Saul, his father, and to David. Considering Sauls
obsession with killing David, this task took on monstrous
proportions.
Their friendship began shortly after David killed the
giant Goliath. Jonathan even gave David his armor, in-
cluding his sword and bow and belt (1 Samuel 18:4). And
how quickly David would need these weapons! Davids
accomplishments in battle became the stuff of legend and
song, and this, of course, enraged Saul.
From then on Jonathans time was spent trying to
help David keep one step ahead of Saul. So Jonathan
told David saying, Saul my father is seeking to put you to
death. Now therefore, please be on guard in the morning,
and stay in a secret place and hide yourself. And I will go
out and stand beside my father in the feld where you are,
and I will speak with my father about you; if I fnd out
anything, then I shall tell you (1 Samuel 19:23).
Father, help me to be a faithful, loving,
and unforgettable friend.
TUESDAY
JULY 9
Mountain-Moving Company
If you have faith as small as a mustard seed,
you can say to this mountain, Move from here to there,
and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.
MATTHEW 17:20 NIV
Weve all made the lament at some point, If only I had
enough faith. . .
. . .my parent/child/friend/husband wouldnt have died.
. . .I would have received that job offer.
. . .I would have enough money for everything in my
budget and more besides.
Any of those laments for greater faith pale when com-
pared to faith to move a mountain. After all, doesnt Jesus say
that all we need is faith the size of a tiny seed?
The problem with that line of thought is that we put the
emphasis on ourselves. If we have faith, our problems will go
away.
Jesus isnt prodding us to show more faith. He is pointing
us to the object of our faithGod. However small our faith,
God can move mountains. When we drop the seed of our faith
into the ground of His will, He will move the mountains out of
our way. He will show us the direction He wants us to take. He
may move the mountain; or He may carry us over, around, or
through it.
The next time a mountain looms ahead, God wants us to
apply to His moving company. He will take us to the right
destination.
Lord God, You are the God of the impossible.
We trust You to move the mountains of our
lives and to move us through them. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
JULY 10
Meat or Mush?
Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the
teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues
in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
2 JOHN 1:9 NIV
Have you had to contend with smorgasbord Christian-
ity? Suddenly, your minister leaves, and as your congre-
gation seeks a new leader, a succession of preachers flls
the pulpit week after week. And every week youre being
fed a different kind of spiritual food.
Dont relax and fgure youre on a spiritual vacation.
This is the time to listen very carefully. You have no idea
where these people come from theologically, and it might
be easy to be led astray by a deep, mellow voice or empty
but high-sounding words.
Spiritual ideas abound, but not all are sound. Some-
times its easy to assume youre getting good meat when
youre actually being served mushy, rotten vegetables.
How can you tell meat from mush? Compare the
message to Christs words. Is the preacher avoiding the
Bibles tough commands, preaching ideas that are not
biblical, or appealing to non-Christian ideas? Better be-
ware.
Jesus gave us strong doctrines and good teaching to
lead us into His truth. Faithful expositors cling to His
Word. They offer meat and milk but no rotten teachings.
Eat well!
Keep me aware of Your truth, Lord.
I want to live on it, not on mush. Amen.
THURSDAY
JULY 11
Still Waters
They will lie down on good grazing ground
and feed in rich pasture. . . . I will feed My fock and
I will lead them to rest, declares the LORD God.
EZEKIEL 34:1415
I have to get this house clean. The last load of laundry
has to be done before I go to bed. If I miss that meeting at
work, how will I ever get that promotion? I cant forget the
kids school playtheyve had enough disappointment. We
have to be at church by 10:00. I need to get the oil changed
soon. Wheres that dry cleaning? Whew. . .one gets tired
just reading a womans to-do list.
How do we rest? By simply stopping. The laundry can
wait. The house doesnt have to be squeaky clean. You can
push the oil change out to 6,000 miles. Maybe we can ask a
friend to help with the dry cleaning, or go to an occasional
Sunday evening service so we can sleep in.
When do we rest? It wont fnd us, so well have to pursue
it. Schedule it, pencil it in, do what needs to be donejust
get some rest. Physical, mental, and emotional rest is para-
mount. If we miss it, well burn out, stress out, or just plain
give out.
God promises to lead us to lush, green pastures, while
restoring our soul. Lets take Him up on the offer!
Heavenly Father, I need to learn to simply
rest and relax. I see so much to do and have so much
responsibilityso please enable me to lie down in the
pastures You have provided.
FRIDAY
JULY 12
Keep Running
Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
HEBREWS 12:1 NIV
Karen began the marathon flled with confdence. She
had been training for months. She knew the course well
and trusted her body. The weather was perfect. But ninety
minutes later, she was overcome with a fatigue like none
she had ever known. Not only was she exhausted, she
was nauseated. Her feet and legs screamed for mercy.
She paused at a water station and considered giving up
completely. She was about to step off the course and call
it a day when a seasoned runner approached her. Looks
like youre having a hard time, she said cheerfully. Karen
mustered a weak smile.
Come onIll run with you for a while. See that
sign up ahead? Think you can make it at least that far?
Karen willed her body to continue. For the next few miles,
her companion slowed her own race to keep pace with
Karens. Every half mile or so she pointed out a goal to
reachmailboxes, stoplights, street signs. Thirty minutes
later, Karen felt her strength return, buoyed by her new
friend who clearly knew the value of a traveling com-
panion. Finally Karen made it to the fnish line. She was
exhausted and overwhelmed, but grateful. Grateful she
had endured and grateful for a friend who helped her
along the way.
Father, when the race is too much for me, give me
strength for the journey. Thank You for the friends
I have along the way. Help me to fnish with
confdence. Amen.
SATURDAY
JULY 13
Ezekiels Call
While I was by the river Chebar among the exiles, the heavens were opened
and I saw visions of God. (On the ffth of the month in the ffth year of
King Jehoiachins exile, the word of the LORD came expressly to Ezekiel the
priest, son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar;
and there the hand of the LORD came upon him.)
EZEKIEL 1:13
Sometimes Gods plans are so different from what we expect
to be doing with our lives that its really astonishing.
Although he was only eighteen years old when some of
the nobles and princes were captured by King Nebuchadnez-
zar and taken from Judah to Babylon, Ezekiel had already
been groomed for the priesthood.
Ezekiels life plan became forever altered ten years later,
in 597 B.C., when he was among those taken in Nebuchadnez-
zars second siege against Jerusalem. Never again would he
view the temple where he had hoped to serve God. However,
when he was thirty years old the Lord gave him a vision of a
new temple and another Jerusalem. His call was to prophesy
concerning Judah and Jerusalem, Israels coming restoration,
and the temple.
Ezekiels visions parallel those of John recorded in the
Book of Revelation. These dreams show that no matter how
bleak Israels present situation might be, their future would
be bright.
Lord, despite my own problems and challenges I can
keep going forward as long as You show me a vision of
hope. As I read the prophecies of Ezekiel,
fll me with expectation!
SUNDAY
JULY 14
Laying Down Your Life
Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends.
JOHN 15:13 KJV
God-breathed love is sacrifcial. It continues to give even
under the most diffcult of circumstances, never keeping
track of the cost. As indicated in todays scripture, the ul-
timate expression of love is ones willingness to lay down
his or her life for another.
We wonder if such love is really possibleand if
we have it in ourselves to love so sacrifcially. Does this
scripture refer only to literal death, or is there a deeper
message?
Sacrifce, by its very defnition, is the ability to place
anothers needs before your ownto continue pouring
out, even when youre tapped out. Every instance you give
of your time, energy, or resources to care for a loved one
in need, you demonstrate your willingness to lay down
your life. Youre expressing the heart of God.
Your ability to continue giving day in and day out
pleases the heart of your heavenly Father, who perfectly
understands the principle of laying down ones life.
After all, thats what He did for us at Calvary.
Dear Lord, please create a caregivers heart within
mea heart ready to give sacrifcially no matter
the cost. When I feel Im given out, remind me of
Your great sacrifce on the cross for me.
MONDAY
JULY 15
A Child in Need
For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist, says
the LORD. But on this one will I look: on him who is poor
and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word.
ISAIAH 66:2 NKJV
When a teacher looks across a room full of students working
quietly at their desks, which one gets her attention? The one
with a raised handthe one with an immediate need.
Like the student, a humble child of God with a need
catches His eye. Though He is always watching over all of us,
He is drawn to a child who needs Him. We may need forgive-
ness, wisdom, courage, endurance, patience, health, protec-
tion, or even love. God promises to come to our aid when He
sees us with a hand up, reaching for His assistance. He will
not ignore a contrite heart and spirit. Gods grace rushes to
one who cries out for mercy, and He offers restoration to the
repentant heart.
What needs do you have in your life today? Raise your
hand in prayer to God. Hell take care of your needs and then
someblessing your life in ways you cant even imagine!
Father, thank You for caring about the needs
of Your children. Help me to remember to
always seek You frst.
TUESDAY
JULY 16
Look Up, Not Around
Were not, understand, putting ourselves in a league with those who
boast that theyre our superiors. We wouldnt dare do that. But in all
this comparing and grading and competing, they quite miss the point.
2 CORINTHIANS 10:12 MSG
Humans tend to be competitive. Its a part of our nature
that shows up at work, on the ball feld, even at church.
Human competition is also seen throughout the Bible,
from Cain and Abel, Jacob and Esau, David and Saul, all
the way through the apostles (Luke 22:24). Women are not
immune to the pull of competition either (Luke 10:4142),
and often the busier we are, the harder we compete with
those around us, as if the very act of winning will make
our lives easier.
Nowhere does scripture condemn the drive to achieve
a worthy goal. Ambition, in itself, is not a problem. It is
how ambition manifests itself that Paul warns the Corin-
thians about. Are we striving to better ourselves for God,
for our families, for our employers? Or has the goal be-
come winning, looking better than others? Are we looking
for worldly admiration only?
If we strive toward our goals in a way that causes
other believers to stumble or violates the values God has
set forth for us, then perhaps we should take a step back.
After all, our fnal victory has little to do with what the
world thinks about us.
Father God, Your standards are what I need to
hold before me. Grant me the wisdom to keep Your
values in mind as I aim for any higher goal. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
JULY 17
Lacking Noting
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of
many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops
perseverance. Perseverance must fnish its work so that you may
be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
JAMES 1:24 NIV
Trials are never fun. Nor are they pain-free. But theyre still
necessary.
When people speak of trials, they might mean anything
from sleep deprivation to the loss of a loved oneor anything
in between. How can we consider it pure joy when we face
such trials? Its not the trial itself that we celebrate, but the
personal growth and expansion of our faith that can lead to
joy. Unfortunately, our attitude in the midst of the trial often
leaves us empty and hurting.
Trials dont get easier from one to the next. But when we
get through onebattered but not brokenwe can look back
to see growth and strength, which we can take into the next.
We have become better equipped to face the next trial with
perseverance, comfort, and hope. And we can walk straight
ahead, knowing that in the end we will be mature and com-
plete, lacking absolutely nothing in Christ Jesus.
Abba Father, I know You go with me through these
trials. I know that any perseverance or strength I
have is only because of You and Your faithfulness to
me. Increase my joy through these trials and help me
remember the purpose of themthat I may
not lack any good thing.
THURSDAY
JULY 18
Ezekiel Speaks to te Lost
Then He said to me, Son of man, go to the house
of Israel and speak with My words to them.
EZEKIEL 3:4
How did you become a Christian? By hearing the Word
of God? Thats the way I came to know Him as Savior.
We respond to the message of truth that is given to us.
The powerful Word of God convicts our hearts of sin and
turns us toward the Lord.
Knowing this, the apostle Paul wrote, For I am not
ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salva-
tion to everyone who believes, to the Jew frst and also to
the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed
from faith to faith (Romans 1:1617). The same power
that resurrected Christ can be with us today!
Did you wonder why the Gospel should be given to
the Jew frst and also to the Greek? All through history
God has desired to communicate salvation to His chosen
people, so that they could then bring this hope to the Gen-
tiles. But when they refused to respond, He brought the
message to all the unbelieving nations. And now we who
are Gentiles are bringing the message back to the Jews.
The Word is coming full circle.
At times we are unwilling to risk presenting the
Gospel message because of personal rejection. However,
the outcome isnt our problem, its Gods. And He says the
same thing to us that He did to Ezekiel: But you shall
speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for
they are rebellious (Ezekiel 2:7).
Lord, help me depend on Your Word to accomplish
all You intend, by Your powerful Spirit.
FRIDAY
JULY 19
The Secret of Serendipity
A happy heart makes the face cheerful.
PROVERBS 15:13 NIV
Can you remember the last time you laughed in wild aban-
don? Better yet, when was the last time you did something
fun, outrageous, or out of the ordinary? Perhaps it is an activ-
ity you havent done since you were a child, like slip down
a waterslide, strap on a pair of ice skates, or pitch a tent and
camp overnight.
Women often become trapped in the cycle of routine, and
soon we lose our spontaneity. Children, on the other hand, are
innately spontaneous. Giggling, they splash barefoot in rain
puddles. Wide-eyed, they watch a kite soar toward the tree-
tops. They make silly faces without inhibition; they see animal
shapes in rock formations. In essence, they possess the secret
of serendipity.
A happy heart turns lifes situations into opportunities
for fun. For instance, if a storm snuffs out the electricity, light
a candle and play games, tell stories, or just enjoy the quiet.
When we seek innocent pleasures, we glean the benefts of a
happy heart.
Jesus said, I am come that they might have life, and that
they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10 KJV). God
wants us to enjoy life, and when we do, it lightens our load
and changes our countenance.
So try a bit of whimsy just for fun. And rediscover the
secret of serendipity.
Dear Lord, because of You, I have a happy heart. Lead
me to do something fun and spontaneous today! Amen.
SATURDAY
JULY 20
Core Strengt
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
ISAIAH 40:29 NIV
A regular exercise program is essential to keep our bod-
ies functioning the way God designed them to. One of the
components of an effective exercise regime is the develop-
ment of core strength. These musclesthe abdomen, trunk,
and backare responsible for strength, stabilization, and
balance. Strong core muscles protect our spines, enable us
to stand and move gracefully, and prevent the development
of chronic pain. Investing the time and energy in developing
and maintaining core muscles pays enormous dividends.
The same is true for our spiritual core muscles. Our
spiritual core consists of foundational elements from which
our lives move. It can include core beliefsabout who God
is and the role of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in our
daily lives.
Another spiritual core muscle can be principles on
which we build our liveswhat is our purpose on earth?
What is our motivation for working, living, and interact-
ing with others? Who are we in Christ? We can exercise
our spiritual core by reading Gods Word every day, pray-
ing about everything, and spending time in fellowship with
other believers.
A strong spiritual core will help ensure that you remain
stable and secure in a changing world. That you are able
to keep from falling and that you are able to move and live
gracefully. As you exercise your physical body, also make a
commitment to regularly exercise your spiritual core as well.
Father, help me to return again and again to the
core foundations of my spiritual health. Amen.
SUNDAY
JULY 21
The Faters Voice
What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith
but he has no works? Can that faith save him?
JAMES 2:14 NASB
A young family set out on a three-day hike. The mother and
father were avid hikers and were excited to share the experi-
ence of the mountain trails and campsites with their young
son and daughter. The children marveled at the sights and
sounds of the wilderness. At nightfall they sat around the
fre after their meal. The young son explored the edges of the
campsite, and his father warned him not to step outside of the
light.
Curious, the boy traced the shadows on the trees and fol-
lowed a night crawler to its hiding place under a rock. Sud-
denly, the son had lost sight of the campfre and of his family.
He cried out in panic, Daddy, Im lost! The father responded
calmly, As long as you can hear me, youre not lost. The
father called out to him over and over again until the son had
followed the sound of his voice safely back to the campsite.
Perhaps youve felt like that small boy, lost with darkness
all around you. Your heavenly Father is always listening, and
as long as you follow His voice, He will guide you back to
safety and into His loving arms.
God, help me to listen for Your voice and
follow Your direction. Amen.
MONDAY
JULY 22
Davids Family Tree
Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked
around on the roof of the kings house, and from the roof he saw a
woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance.
So David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, Is this
not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
And David. . .lay with her; and when she had purifed herself from
her uncleanness, she returned to her house. And the woman conceived;
and she sent and told David, and said, I am pregnant.
2 SAMUEL 11:25
The Bible presents the true account of mans record on
this earth, warts and all! Although David should have
accompanied his men into battle against the sons of Am-
mon, he instead stayed home. And there was beautiful
Bathsheba, washing herself on her rooftop in the warmth
of the evening. At any rate, David succumbed to tempta-
tion, and Bathsheba later realized she was with child.
David knew Bathsheba was Uriahs wife but he
seduced her anyway. But an even greater sin occurred
as David tried to cover his tracks. He sent for Uriah and
told him to go home, hoping that Uriah would then sleep
with Bathsheba and all would appear fne. However, Uriah
decided instead to deny himself the comforts that his sol-
diers on the battlefront were also lacking and instead he
slept at the door of the kings house with all the servants
of his lord. . . (2 Samuel 11:9).
David then implemented plan B and had Uriah sent
to the front lines where he was killed. After a period of
mourning David took Bathsheba to be his wife.
Lord, help me to be accountable to You.
TUESDAY
JULY 23
A Very Important Phrase
And it came to pass. . .
FOUND MORE THAN 400 TIMES IN THE KING JAMES BIBLE
What tremendous words of encouragement! Headaches,
toothaches, car troubles, clogged drains, personality con-
fictsall come only to pass. We can focus on the Lord, and
He will bring us through.
There are times in life when we think we cant bear one
more day, one more hour, one more minute. But lets not get
downfor no matter how bad things seem at the time, they
are temporary. The situation will pass; life will go on. Tomor-
row will be another day with new victories and challenges
but always also with new grace.
Whats really important is how we handle the opportu-
nities before us today, whether we let our trials defeat us or
look for the hand of God in everything. Hes giving us more
chances to glorify Him in the daily events of our lives.
Every day, week, and year are made up of things that
come to passso even if we fail, we neednt be disheart-
ened. Other opportunitiesbetter dayswill come. Lets look
past those hard things today and glorify the name of the Lord.
Lord Jesus, how awesome it is that You
send or allow these little things that will pass.
May we recognize Your hand in them today
and praise You for them.
WEDNESDAY
JULY 24
The Bar Is Too High!
She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family. . . .
Her lamp does not go out at night.
PROVERBS 31:15, 18 NIV
The Proverbs 31 woman puts Wonder Woman to shame.
Up before dawn, late to bed, caring for her household,
negotiating business contracts down at the city gate. She
gives to the poor, plans for her household to run smoothly,
anticipates future needs, such as snowy weather. Even her
arms are buff! She sets about her work vigorously; her
arms are strong for her tasks (Proverbs 31:17 NIV).
She is highly energetic, an effciency expert, and
gifted in relationships. Her children arise and call her
blessed; her husband also, and he praises her (v. 28). This
woman is downright intimidating!
So how do we beneft by reading about the Proverbs 31
woman? Reading about her day makes us feel overwhelmed,
discouraged by our inadequacies. That bar is too high!
God doesnt place the bar so high that we live in its
shadow. He wired each of us with different gifts, different
energy levels, different responsibilities. Proverbs 31 casts
a foodlight on all womenthose gifted in business, in
home life, as caregivers. This chapter displays how women
undergird their families and their communities.
Remember, the book of Proverbs was written in the
tenth century BC, when women were considered chattel.
But not in Gods eyes. He has always esteemed women
and the many roles we fulfll in society.
Father, thank You for the important women in
my life. You made each one of us with gifts and
abilities. May we be used to glorify You. Amen.
THURSDAY
JULY 25
The White Knight
Then I will rejoice in the LORD. I will be glad because he rescues me.
PSALM 35:9 NLT
Ever since she was a little girl, Alex had dreamed of someday
playing the part of a damsel in distress who is heroically res-
cued by a white knight.
Reality soon set in.
How long am I supposed to wait for him? she lamented
to a friend over lattes. My white knight apparently has a
problem with punctuality.
Were all waiting for someone to rescue us. Maybe youre
waiting for a soul mate to fll a void in your heart. Or perhaps
youre waiting for a friend to come through in your time of
need. It could be that youre waiting for your mom to fnally
treat you like an adult or for a prospective employer to call
back with a job offer. We wait and wait and wait for a rescuer
to come.
The truth is, God doesnt want you to exist in a perpetual
state of waiting. Live your lifeyour whole lifeby seeking
daily joy in the Savior of your soul, Jesus Christ. And heres
the best news of all: Hes already done the rescuing by dy-
ing on the cross for our sins! Hes the true white knight who
secured your eternity in heaven.
Stop waiting; seek His face today!
Jesus, I praise You because You are the rescuer of my
soul. Remind me of this fact when Im looking for relief
in other people and places. You take care of my present
and eternal needs, and for that I am grateful. Amen.
FRIDAY
JULY 26
Is Anyone Listening?
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter
(Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby),
that He may remain with you forever.
JOHN 14:16 AMP
Christians have the assurance that God will hear them
when they call. In turn, we can hear Gods voice of love
when we listen.
People who love each other spend time together. They
share their dreams and hopes. So it is with our heavenly
Father, who wants to hear from us. He cares so much that
He sent the Holy Spirit to be our Counselor, our Com-
forter.
The Greek translation for comfort is paraklesis or
calling near. When we are called near to someone, we
are able to hear his or her whisper. It is this very picture
scripture paints when it speaks of the Holy Spirit. God
sent the Spirit to whisper to us and to offer encourage-
ment and guidance, to be our strength when all else fails.
When we praywhen we tell God our needs and give
Him praiseHe listens. Then He directs the Spirit within
us to speak to our hearts and give us reassurance.
Our world is flled with noise and distractions. Look
for a place where you can be undisturbed for a few min-
utes. Take a deep breath, lift your prayers, and listen. God
will speakand your heart will hear.
Dear Lord, I thank You for Your care. Help me to
recognize Your voice and to listen well.
SATURDAY
JULY 27
A Comfortable Place
Dont you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit,
who lives in you and was given to you by God?
You do not belong to yourself.
1 CORINTHIANS 6:19 NLT
Sandra spent the day picking up her apartment. She pur-
chased a new bedspread for her guest room. On the coffee
table, she placed a vase of fresh wildfowers. She got a maga-
zine and set herself to work fnding some new recipes for
dinner.
Why did she take the time to do all these things?
Sandras friend from out of state was coming to stay the
weekend. She knew that her home was a refection of herself.
The effort that she took in preparing it for her guest would
show that she cared enough to make her friend feel at home.
We take the time to make our homes comfortable and
beautiful when we know visitors are coming. In the same way,
we ought to prepare our hearts for the Holy Spirit who lives
inside of us. We should daily ask God to help us clean up the
junk in our hearts. We should take special care to tune up our
bodies through exercise, eating healthful foods, and dressing
attractively and modestly.
Our bodies belong to God. They are a refection to others
of Him. Taking care of ourselves shows others that we honor
God enough to respect and use wisely what He has given us.

Dear Lord, thank You for letting me belong to You.
May my body be a comfortable place for You. Amen.
SUNDAY
JULY 28
Saul and Stephen
And they went on stoning Stephen as he called upon the Lord and
said, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit! And falling on his knees, he cried
out with a loud voice, Lord, do not hold this sin against them!
And having said this, he fell asleep. And Saul was in hearty
agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great
persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem.
ACTS 7:5960; 8:1
Have you ever committed an action so despicable that
you cant imagine God could ever forgive you? Saulwho
would soon be acclaimed as the fearless apostle Paul
had been persuaded by his own pious intentions to stamp
out the Gospels heresy. After the stoning of Stephen,
Saul entered home after home and dragged Christians off
to prison.
And then the powerful hand of the Lord God inter-
vened.
Suddenly a light from heaven fashed around him;
and he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him,
Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? And he said,
Who art Thou, Lord? And He said, I am Jesus whom you
are persecuting, but rise, and enter the city, and it shall be
told you what you must do (Acts 9:36).
Blinded for three days by Gods incredible power,
Saul had to be led into the city of Damascus. There, a dis-
ciple named Ananias, to whom God gave a message, would
intervene.
Thank You, God, for changing Saul into Paul!
MONDAY
JULY 29
Complicated Relationships
And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for
Jonathan thy fathers sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy
father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.
2 SAMUEL 9:7 KJV
Like people today, Old Testament characters struggled with
personal relationships. Davids wife Michal turned against
him. Her father, King Saul, hunted David like an animal,
though the younger man ultimately triumphed and was
crowned king.
Most rulers executed their opponentsand their fami-
lies. But King David, in a major risk-taking move, not only
returned Sauls estate to his grandson Mephibosheth but also
offered him fnancial support and a place at the kings table.
Davids advisors probably thought him crazy. That is, un-
less they knew Mephibosheths father, Jonathan. In the midst
of family turmoil, he and David were fast friends. Jonathan
even offered to step down as Sauls heir and support Davids
kingship. When his father threatened to kill David, Jonathan
risked his own life by defending his friend. Later Jonathan
died with Saul on the battlefeld.
Davids love for his late friend extended to Jonathans
children. When he summoned Mephibosheth, the terri-
fed man probably thought David was planning to kill him.
Instead, the king treated Mephibosheth like a son, welcoming
him with open arms.
In our own diffcult relationships, loyalty and kindness
may also seem an unwise response. But God wants our ac-
tions to always refect His readiness to bless amid heartache
and hurt.
Father, when forgiveness seems impossible, help me act
in accordance with Your unconditional love.
TUESDAY
JULY 30
Judged!
A woman who had lived a sinful life. . .brought an alabaster
jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping,
she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them
with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
LUKE 7:3738 NIV
What a beautiful story of repentance. Though we dont
know her name, we relate to this womans loving testimony.
How we would like to be able to anoint Jesus with our love.
Had it been up to the Pharisee who shares the story
with her, we probably wouldnt know about the sinful
woman. This man who had invited Jesus to dinner missed
the point of her actions and began judging her and the
Master who accepted her loving gift. Surely, assumed the
Pharisee, a prophet would know this woman is a sinner.
This frst-century Jew isnt alone in leaping to judg-
ment. Many churchgoers fall into the same trap. A new
person comes to our church and doesnt follow the rules.
Maybe she doesnt dress like everyone else or doesnt
use the right spiritual jargon. In an instant, we doubt her
salvation.
But if she doesnt know Jesus, isnt this the right place
for her to be? Standing near Him, an unbeliever may come
to faithif the people in Gods congregation are loving
and nurturing.
We need not judge a casual acquaintances spiritual
lifeGod can do that. All we need to do is love, and He
will bring blessings.
Thank You, Lord, that Your frst reaction to me was
love, not condemnation. Turn my heart in love to
all who dont yet know You. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
JULY 31
Antichrist, te Ruler to Come
And in his place a despicable person will arise, on whom the
honor of kingship has not been conferred, but he will come in
a time of tranquility and seize the kingdom by intrigue. And the
overfowing forces will be fooded away before him and shattered,
and also the prince of the covenant. And after an alliance is made
with him he will practice deception, and he will go up and gain power
with a small force of people. In a time of tranquility he will enter
the richest parts of the realm, and he will accomplish what his
fathers never did, nor his ancestors; he will distribute plunder,
booty, and possessions among them, and he will devise his
schemes against strongholds, but only for a time.
DANIEL 11:2124
The antichrist is a real person who will one day deviously
slither onto the scene right on cue. He will appear indispens-
able at a time of worldwide, unsolvable chaos. His allies will
be the foes of God.
His deception will be so great that people will fail to see
his face of evil until the abomination of desolation takes
place (Matthew 24:15). Three and one-half years after he comes
on the scene, the antichrist will enter the rebuilt temple
in Jerusalem, declare himself god, and demand worship and
allegiance from the world. Jesus Himself warned the Jews
about this diabolical person, telling them that when they saw
him to let those who are in Judea fee to the mountains
(Mark 13:14).
Lord, compel me with new urgency to study Your
powerful Word, that I might bring it to others.
THURSDAY
AUGUST 1
One Thing Is Needed
Martha, Martha, the Lord answered, you are worried
and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.
LUKE 10:4142 NIV
We are each given twenty-four hours in a day. Einstein
and Edison were given no more than Joseph and Jere-
miah of the Old Testament. The president and the para-
trooper are all given an equal share. Even Mother Teresa
and plain ol women are peers when it comes to time.
Timewe cant buy it, save it, or get a greater share
no matter what we do. Its value is beyond measure. So we
should learn to use it carefully. Do we tackle the laundry
now or help the kids read If You Give a Mouse a Cookie one
more time? Do we stay up late, cleaning the living room,
or slip into bed early, knowing we need the rest? Do we
fuss over our hair and makeup or fnd a moment to kneel
before our Father?
Since God has blessed each of us with twenty-four
hours, lets seek His direction on how to spend this in-
valuable commodity wiselygiving more to people than
things, spending more time on relationships than the rat
race. In Luke, our Lord reminded dear, dogged, drained
Martha that only one thing is neededHim.
Father God, oftentimes, I get caught up in the
minutia of life. The piled laundry can appear more
important than the precious little ones Youve given
me. Help me to use my time wisely. Open my eyes
to see what is truly important.
FRIDAY
AUGUST 2
Confident Persistence
Dont be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today.
The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again.
EXODUS 14:13 NLT
Sharon was confused. Doubts and fears assailed her mind.
Lord, I think Ive bitten off more than I can chew. Now Im out here,
in the middle of nowhere, ready to give up.
Her confdence waning, Sharon cried out to God. Then,
reaching for her Bible, she opened to where shed last left off
reading in Exodus, where the Israelites were running from
Pharaoh.
The hard-hearted pharaoh thought he had a good chance
to bring his slaves back to him. He fgured that the Israelites,
hemmed in by the desert, would be wandering around the
land in confusion.
Indeed, the Israelites had gone out of Egypt with bold-
ness. Yet when trapped by the sea, they became discouraged
and frightened. But while at a literal standstill, they called out
to God and He became a shield for them, using a cloud in
front and behind them and the walls of the sea on either side.
And after going through the sea on dry land, Gods people
never saw those Egyptians again.
When you become bewildered and petrifed with fear,
dont be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue
you today, because the problems, frustrations, and barriers
you see today will never be seen again. Be persistent, and God
will see you through.
Lord, be my shield. Surround me with Your presence.
Help me to keep still in this situation
and watch You see me through it. And I will praise You
forever and ever, in Jesus name. Amen.
SATURDAY
AUGUST 3
Answered Knee-Mail
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
JAMES 5:16 NIV
We communicate with others in our cyberspace world at
lightning speedan e-mail, instant message, text messag-
ingall of these provide quick results. But prayer is even
faster than the digital world. We have Gods attention the
moment we focus on Him.
The concept of the power of prayer is familiar, but
sometimes we forget what it means. Prayer is a power-
ful tool for communicating with God, an opportunity to
commune with the Creator of the universe. Prayer is not
something to be taken lightly or used infrequently. Yet, in
the rush of daily life, we often lose sight of Gods pres-
ence. Instead of turning to Him for guidance and comfort,
we depend on our own resources.
But prayer isnt just a way to seek protection and
guidance; its how we develop a deeper relationship with
our heavenly Father. We can access this power anywhere.
We dont need a wi-f hotspot or a high-speed modem.
We just need to look up. Hes connected and waiting.
Father, thank You for being at my side all the time.
Help me to turn to You instantly,
in need and in praise. Amen.
SUNDAY
AUGUST 4
Who Helps te Helper?
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him,
and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth;
and with my song will I praise him.
PSALM 28:7 KJV
Women tend to be helpers. They cant help it.
God made them that way. From the foundation of the
earth, their primary job has been to help.
It is a womans nature to assist, to nurture, to render care.
Even in these days of more equitable roles, it is typically the
woman who is found feeding the baby at 2 a.m., cheering the
young soccer players, counseling the college student by long-
distance phone calls, holding a shaky hand in a hospital room,
and comforting the bereaved at a funeral.
Helping can be exhausting. The needs of young children,
teens, grandchildren, aging parents, our neighbors, and fellow
church membersthe list is never-endingcan stretch us
until were ready to snap. And then we fnd that we need help.
Who helps the helper?
The Lord does. When we are weak, He is strong. When
we are vulnerable, He is our shield. When we can no longer
trust in our own resources, we can trust in Him.
And we can trust Him before we snap. He is always there,
ready to help. Rejoice in Him, praise His name, and you will
fnd the strength to go on.
Father, Im worn out. I cant care for all the
people and needs You bring into my life by myself.
I need Your strength. Thank You for being
my helper and my shield.
MONDAY
AUGUST 5
Magnifying Life
My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!
PSALM 34:23 ESV
To magnify is to make larger, more visible, more easily seen.
When the angel of the Lord appeared to Mary telling her
she would be the mother of the Messiah, her response was
to quote the psalm, Oh, magnify the LORD with me. Mary
knew she was the object of Gods favor and mercy. That
knowledge produced humility. It is the humble soul that
desires that God be glorifed instead of self.
Try as we might, we cant produce this humility in
ourselves. It is our natural tendency to be self-promoters,
to manage the impressions others have of us, and to bet-
ter our own reputations. We need the help of the Spirit to
remind us that God has favored each of us with His pres-
ence. He did not have to come to us in Christ, but He did.
He has chosen to set His love on us. His life redeemed
ours, and He sanctifes us. We are recipients of the action
of His grace.
Does your soul make its boast in the Lord? Does your
life make Christ larger and easier for others to see? Maybe
you cant honestly say you desire this. Start there. Confess
that. Ask Him to remind you of His favor and to work
humility into your life, to help you pray like Mary did.
Christ Jesus, help me to remember what
You have done for me and desire for
others to see and know You.
TUESDAY
AUGUST 6
But What about te Jews?
For if Abraham was justifed by works, he has something to
boast about; but not before God. For what does the Scripture say?
And Abraham believed God, and it was
reckoned to him as righteousness.
ROMANS 4:23
Our work ethic is as old as the Garden of Eden. Because of
sin Adams free ride was over and he would now have to earn
a living. But God said, Because you have listened to the
voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which
I commanded you, saying, You shall not eat from it; cursed
is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the
days of your life (Genesis 3:17).
Somehow men and women have transferred this attitude
about working for things to salvation. However, salvation is not
based on our goodness, but rather on Christs. For no matter
how diligently we try to keep those Ten Commandments, were
going to fail.
God made Abraham, the one the Jews claim as their
father, a promise and he believed God.
His belief wasnt merely an intellectual assent. The
Supreme God of the Universe, who made absolutely every-
thing that Abraham now saw in his world, had deigned not only
to speak to him, but He promised him an heir. The reason that
Abraham could place his trust in God was because God kept
His promises. No matter how impossible the situation looks,
God always comes through.
I thank You that I worship a God whose
Word can be trusted. I know Jesus will
always be there for me.
WEDNESDAY,
AUGUST 7
No More Sting
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
1 CORINTHIANS 15:55 KJV
Two female golfers were driving from one hole to the next
when a huge bumblebee few into the cart. The passenger
panicked. Attempting to avoid the bee, she overreacted,
lost her balance, and fell out of the cart. Later she
sheepishly remarked to friends, I was frightened for
nothing. That kind of bee doesnt even sting!
We have so many fears that names have been given
to identify our phobias. Arachnophobia: the fear of
spiders. Claustrophobia: the fear of being in closed spaces.
Acrophobia: the fear of heights. What are you afraid of?
Do we make situations even worse by overreacting?
Perhaps our fears are unfounded in the frst place.
We have a choice to make. We can either live life in
fear or live life by faith. Fear and faith cannot coexist.
Jesus Christ has conquered our greatest feardeath. He
rose victorious and has given us eternal life through faith.
Knowing this truth enables us to courageously face our
fears. There is no fear that cannot be conquered by faith.
Lets not panic but trust the Lord instead. Lets live by
faith and experience the victory that has been given to us
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Lord, You alone know my fears. Help me to trust
You more. May I walk in the victory that You have
purchased for me. Amen.
THURSDAY
AUGUST 8
Understand. . .Then Act
Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Dont act thought-
lessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
EPHESIANS 5:1617 NLT
An older woman found herself acting on impulsea lot.
When things would go wrong, shed react, and not always
in a good way. She would blurt out things she didnt really
mean. Sometimes she even made issues out of nonissues.
Then laterin the quiet timesshe would wonder why. If
shed just taken the time to think before speaking, so many
problems could have been avoided.
Can you relate to this woman? Do you ever act or speak
without thinking frst? If so, you are certainly not alone.
Women are emotional creatures and often knee-jerk, based
on emotions. Were especially vulnerable when our feelings
are hurt. We dont always take the time to understand what
the Lord wants us to do before implementing our own plan of
action.
Are you an actor or a reactor? Are you a thinker or a
knee-jerker? The Lord longs for us to think before we act or
speakto act on His behalf. To react takes little or no thought,
but to live a life that refects the image of Christ takes lots of
work!
Lord, I dont want to be a reactor. I want to be an
actorrefecting You in my life. Today, I give You my
knee-jerking tendencies. Guard my words and actions,
Father. Help me to think before I speak.
FRIDAY
AUGUST 9
Well Watered
The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in
a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like
a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
ISAIAH 58:11 NIV
The county restrictions allowed for watering only twice a
week. It just wasnt enough. Her carefully tended acre
once lush, green, and profuse with color and varietywas
now brown and crunchy underfoot. The blooms hung
limp, pale, and dehydrated. She couldnt ignore the living
word picture this was to her own spiritual life. For months
now, shed actually only watered her spirit with Sunday
morning sermons. She, too, felt lifeless and dried up from
the stresses that weighed on hertoo many demands, the
urgent bumping out the important, a frenzied sprint from
place to place, poor nutrition from grabbing unhealthy
foods on the run, no margin to properly rest or enjoy life.
She needed a downpour of Gods Word and the Holy
Spirits presence in her parched spirit. Not an occasional
sprinkle but a soul soaking to replenish her frazzled
body and weary mind. She knew this soaking came from
consistent Bible study, the necessary pruning of confessed
sin, and prayer time. These produce a well-watered
garden, fruitful and lush, mirroring Gods beauty, creating
a life to which others are drawn to come and linger in His
refreshing presence.
Eternal Father, strengthen my frame, guide
my paths, and satisfy my needs as only You can.
Make my life a well-watered garden, fruitful
for You and Your purposes. Amen.
SATURDAY
AUGUST 10
What Is Your Request ?
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and
requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying.
EPHESIANS 6:18 NIV
What burdens your heart today? Is there a trial that engulfs
you or someone you love? Present your request to your
heavenly Father with the assurance that He will act on
your behalfeither by changing your circumstances or by
changing you. He is always concerned for you.
But be patient. What we may view as a non-answer may
simply be God saying, Wait or I have something better for
you. He will answer. Keep in mind that His ways are not our
ways, nor are His thoughts our thoughts.
God knows what Hes doing, even when He allows trials
in our lives. We might think that saving a loved one from
diffculty is a great ideabut God, in His wisdom, may decide
that would be keeping them (or us) from an opportunity for
spiritual growth. Since we dont know all of Gods plans, we
must simply lay our requests before Him and trust Him to do
what is right. He will never fail us!
Father God, here are my needs. I lay them at Your feet,
walking away unburdened and assured that You have it
all under control. Thank You!
SUNDAY
AUGUST 11
Peace Despite Our Trials
Therefore having been justifed by faith, we have peace with
God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have
obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand;
and we exult in hope of the glory of God. . . . For while we were still
helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
ROMANS 5:12, 6
People have scoured every nook and cranny of the globe in
search of peace. From yoga and transcendental meditation
to new age tranquility tapes and self-empowerment
courses, people will try just about anything. But do these
methods work?
Of course not! Instead, each new road eventually
leads to the dead ends of dissatisfaction and emptiness. I
have seen all the works which have been done under the
sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after the wind
(Ecclesiastes 1:14). The promises of peace that this world
has to offer are nothing more than vapors of an expensive
fragrance.
Enduring tranquility cannot be found outside a rela-
tionship with Christ. So why cant we just believe its that
simple?
Maybe were simply afraid to end the search. Before I
became a Christian I can recall thinking of God as my ace
in the hole. If all else failed, Id try religion. And when all
the other inlets I traveled led to dry lake beds, I did reach
out for religion. However, this, too, was but an attempt
on my part to be good enough for God. Human effort
doesnt bring peace.
Lord, I know the only true and lasting peace
comes from Jesus Christ.
MONDAY
AUGUST 12
A Better Offer
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.
MATTHEW 7:12 NIV
I need to cancel plans on Friday because I have the
opportunity to go out of town with friends, Anne said.
Marsha felt rejected, unloved, and inconsequential again
as Anne canceled their weekly prayer and Bible study time
because a better offer came along.
At least, Marsha thought, she didnt cancel on me this time
because she needed to get her nails done.
How do you treat friends, colleagues, and acquaintances?
Do you remain committed to your responsibilities? What are
your priorities? Do you take on more than you can handle?
Do you not give 100 percent to a task or relationship?
Jesus took responsibilities, commitments, and obligations
seriously. In fact, Jesus said, Simply let your Yes be Yes,
and your No, No; anything beyond this comes from the evil
one (Matthew 5:37 NIV). Satan desires for us to be stressed
out, overcommitted, and not able to do anything well. Satan
delights when we treat others in an unkind, offensive man-
ner. However, God, upon request, will help us prioritize our
commitments so that our yes is yes and our no is no.
Then in everything we do, we are liberated to do to others as
we would have them do to us.
Lord, please prioritize my commitments to enable me in
everything to do to others as I would desire
for them to do to me. Amen.
TUESDAY
AUGUST 13
Anxieties
Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries,
all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you
affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
1 PETER 5:7 AMP
Because He cares for you. Not because you have to. Not
because its the right thing to do. Not because its what
youre supposed to do. No. Read it again. . . Because He
cares for you. Thats right, He cares for you!
Our Father isnt standing there with His hand on His
hip, saying, All right, spit it out, I dont have all day, or
worse. . .holding His hands to His ears, saying, Enough!
You have way too many problems.
The Amplifed Bible puts it this way: Casting the
whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries,
all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares
for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully (1
Peter 5:7).
Because He cares for you. How humbling and
emotionally overwhelming it is to realize that our Lord
and God, Jesus Christ, actually wants us to unburden our
hearts to Him. Not just because He knows thats whats
best for us but simply because He cares. To know He isnt
just informing us of one more requirement we have to
meet. No. He asks each one of us to cast all our cares and
anxieties on Him because He cares for us.
Father, I am overjoyed at Your concern for me.
Thank You! Please teach me to cast my cares into
Your arms. . .and leave them there.
WEDNESDAY
AUGUST 14
Put On a Happy Face
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the
paths of righteousness for his names sake.
PSALM 23:3 KJV
Sometimes we become discouraged with the direction of our
lives. Circumstances are not of our choosing, not the plan we
laid out. Gods timetable isnt meshing with ours. But to keep
others around us pacifed, we paste on a smile and trudge
through the murky waters.
Be encouraged. The Lord has promised He hears our
pleas and knows our situations. He will never leave us. Our
God is not a God of negativity, but of possibility. He will guide
us through our diffculties and beyond them. In Streams in
the Desert, Mrs. Charles E. Cowman states, Every misfortune,
every failure, every loss may be transformed. God has the
power to transform all misfortunes into God-sends.
Today we should turn our thoughts and prayers toward
Him. Focus on a hymn or a praise song and play it in your
mind. Praise chases away the doldrums and tips our lips up in
a smile. With a renewed spirit of optimism and hope we can
thank the Giver of all things good. Thankfulness to the Father
can turn our plastic smiles into real ones, and as the psalm
states, our souls will be restored.
Father, Im down in the dumps today. You are my
unending source of strength. Gather me in
Your arms for always. Amen.
THURSDAY
AUGUST 15
Hold On!
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper
time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
GALATIANS 6:9 NIV
Have you ever felt that God abandoned you? Have the
diffculties in your life pressed you to physical and mental
exhaustion? Do you feel your labor is in vain and no one
appreciates the sacrifces you have made?
When Elijah fed for his life in fear of Jezebels
wrath, depression and discouragement tormented him.
Exhausted, he prayed for God to take his life, and then
he fell asleep. When he awoke, God sent an angel with
provisions to strengthen his weakened body. Only then
was he able to hear Gods revelation that provided the
direction and assistance he needed.
God hears our pleas even when He seems silent. The
problem is that we cannot hear Him because of physical
and mental exhaustion. Rest is key to our restoration.
Just when the prophet thought he could go on
no longer, God provided the strength, peace, and
encouragement to continue. He does the same for us
today. When we come to the end of our rope, God ties
a knot. And like Elijah, God will do great things in and
through us, if we will just hold on.
Dear Lord, help me when I can no longer help
myself. Banish my discouragement and give me
the rest and restoration I need so that I might
hear Your voice. Amen.
FRIDAY
AUGUST 16
Safety Net
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law
of sin and death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through
the fesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful fesh and as
an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the fesh, in order that the
requirement of the Law might be fulflled in us, who do not walk
according to the fesh, but according to the Spirit.
ROMANS 8:14
Now that our children are older, my husband and I look back
on some of their episodes of outright disobedience with a
different perspective. We can see that even as they responded
to our discipline with absolute hostility, these incidents
became turning points in their lives.
With reckless abandon their fesh cried out with
insolence, Dont tell me what to do! Fifteen or twenty years
earlier we wanted to say the same things to our parents.
The Law Paul speaks of here is Gods law, given to Moses
and the Israelites in the entirety of what has been recorded in
the Bible. Its the law that requires that we love our enemies
and do good to those who hate us. And its also the law that
says, Come to me, all who are heavy laden and I will give you
rest. To be out of control is such a weighty burden, one that
we were never meant to carry.
Gods rules provide for us a huge safety net. When we
bounce against its sides, we become aware of the need to
change our direction.
I rejoice that I am a child of God and
heir to the kingdom! Hallelujah!
SATURDAY
AUGUST 17
Be Still, My Soul
Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act.
PSALM 37:7 NLT
When life doesnt go the way we planned, its easy to
become upset, discontented, even distrustful. As women,
were pulled in so many directions. Inevitably, parents get
older and need care. Husbands require much of our time
and energy. Children may have birth defects or illnesses
or behavioral problems.
And anxious thoughts beset us. Our dreams and
plans are put on hold. We may wish we could be some-
where else. It can all add up to a restless soul, as we chafe
at the unfairness of life.
But God asks us to quiet our spirits before Him, to
submit to His will for us. As people of God, we wait ex-
pectantly for Him to work all things for our good and His
glory (Romans 8:28). Lets follow the advice of the hymn
writer Katharina von Schlegel, who wrote the great Be
Still, My Soul:
Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Father, may I quiet my soul before You today.
Help me to see Your loving hand in every diffculty
I face, knowing that You are accomplishing
Your purposes in me.
SUNDAY
AUGUST 18
One Step at a Time
With your help I can advance against a troop;
with my God I can scale a wall.
PSALM 18:29 NIV
Sandi returned home from the doctor feeling discouraged and
defeated. She knew she had put on a few pounds since her
last visit, but was shocked when she saw the number on the
scale. Her shock turned to humiliation when the doctor frankly
addressed it. Sandi, your health is on the line. If you dont lose
at least seventy-fve pounds, the next time I see you youll be in
a hospital bed. Your heart simply cannot take th e strain of the
excess weight youre carrying.
Seventy-fve pounds! It seemed like an insurmountable
goal. But a year later, when Sandi returned to the doctor for
her annual check-up, she beamed when he looked at her chart.
Congratulations on your weight loss, he said. How did you
do it?
Sandi smiled, One pound at a time.
We often become discouraged when we face a mountain-
sized task. Whether its weight loss or a graduate degree or
our income taxes, some things just seem impossible. And they
often cant be donenot all at once. Tasks like these are best
faced one step at a time. One pound at a time. Chipping away
instead of moving the whole mountain at once. With patience,
perseverance, and Gods help, your goals may be more
attainable than you think.
Dear Father, the task before me seems impossible.
However, I know I can do it with Your help. I pray that
I will trust You every step of the way. Amen.
MONDAY
AUGUST 19
Peace trough Prayer
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the
peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
PHILIPPIANS 4:67 NKJV
Some days it is easy to be thankful. We nearly bubble
over with thanksgiving. These are mountaintop daysa
graduation day, a wedding, or a reunion with old friends.
The day comes to a close, and we whisper a prayer. It
fows easily off the tongue. Thank You, God, we say, for
a perfect day.
There are days when thankfulness is not as natural,
not as easy. These are valley daysin the hospital room,
at the graveside, or when we are distraught about a
relationship or work issue. It is in these times that
the Father wants us to give Him our burdens through
prayer. It seems impossible to be thankful for the pain,
the confusion, or the longings in our lives. We can be
thankful, though, that we have a loving heavenly Father
who stands ready to help.
The peace of God cannot be explained. It cannot
be bought. The world cannot give it to us. But when we
release our cares to the Lord in prayer, His peace washes
over us and flls our hearts and minds. What a comfort is
the peace of God when we fnd ourselves in the valley.
Sovereign God, You are the same yesterday, today,
and tomorrow. You are with me through the good
and the bad. Draw near to me and replace my
worry with Your peace. Amen.
TUESDAY
AUGUST 20
Silence
He was oppressed, and he was afficted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a
lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before
its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.
ISAIAH 53:7 ESV
Jesus fulflled Isaiahs prophecy by remaining silent before
His accusers prior to His crucifxion. This fact is surprising
to read because it goes against everything in us as humans
we cant imagine being falsely accused and not seeking to
vindicate ourselves.
Jesus silence can teach us important lessons. Underneath
His silence was an implicit trust in His Father and His
purposes. Christ knew who He was and what He had come to
do.
Perhaps He was praying silently as He stood before Pilate.
It is often in the stillness of our lives that we hear God best.
When we take time to think, meditate on scripture, pray, and
refect, we fnd that we can indeed hear the still, small voice.
Many of us avoid quiet and solitude with constant noise and
busyness. But important things happen in the silence. The
Father can speak; we can listen. We can speak, knowing He is
listening. Trust is built in silence, and confdence strengthens
in silence.
Lord Jesus, help me to learn from Your silence. Help me
to trust You more so that I dont feel
the need to explain myself. Give me the desire
and the courage to be alone with You and
learn to hear Your voice.
WEDNESDAY
AUGUST 21
Pauls Prayer for te Jews
Brethren, my hearts desire and my prayer
to God for them is for their salvation.
ROMANS 10:1
Is the deepest concern of your heart that those whom you
love will share heaven with Christ? The deepest longing of
Pauls soul was that the Jews might know their Messiah.
Paul longed for the Israelites, to whom belongs the
adoption as sons and the glory and the covenants and
the giving of the Law and the temple service and the
promises, to understand that Christ had come to save
them (Romans 9:45).
The Jews couldnt truly be Gods children until they
partook of the light of truth. For the Scripture says, Who-
ever believes in Him will not be disappointed. For there is
no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord
is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call upon
Him; for Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will
be saved (Romans 10:1113).
Paul presents the simple process by which they can
become cleansed of their sins. But what does it say? The
word is near you, in your mouth and in your heartthat
is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you
confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in
your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall
be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in
righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting
in salvation (Romans 10:810).
Lord, clarify Your Word,
that women may yield in faith.
THURSDAY
AUGUST 22
A Fresh Perspective
Listen now to me and I will give you some advice,
and may God be with you.
EXODUS 18:19 NIV
Moses was doing too much.
Exodus 18:23 tells us that the great leader of Israel sent
away his wife, Zipporah, and their sons. Though the Bible
doesnt elaborate, it appears that Moses was working too
hardpossibly even neglecting his family. Maybe he sent
them away because he couldnt work as hard as he was work-
ing and care for the family at the same time. Whatever the
reason, his father-in-law, Jethro, decided to visit.
The next morning as usual, Moses got up to go to work.
After observing Moses exhausting routine, Jethro sat down
with his son-in-law. Why are you doing all the work your-
self? he asked. You need to start delegating.
Moses was working so hard that he had lost his objectiv-
ity. Jethro provided him with a differentand helpfulper-
spective.
Its easy to get caught up in the tyranny of the urgent
and lose perspective. When we take a step back and look at
our lives more objectively, we often see alternative ways of
doing things. Such insights can come from a trusted friend or
relative.
What is there about your present situation that might
require perspective from someone else? Is there something
you could be doing differently? Is there a task you could be
delegating or an option you havent considered? Learn from
Mosestake the advice of someone who could offer you a
much-needed perspective.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the
perspective that others can bring. Teach
me to listen to and heed wise advice.
FRIDAY
AUGUST 23
Lady Wisdom Gives Directions
Does not wisdom cry out, and understanding lift up her voice?
She takes her stand on the top of the high hill,
beside the way, where the paths meet.
PROVERBS 8:12 NKJV
Wisdom. The very term sounds outdated, a concept hiding
in musty, dusty caverns of the past. Has it anything to do
with real life?
Many answer, No, especially in the twenty-frst
century!
But biblical wisdom, crafted by God before the earth
existed, remains as fresh and powerful as its Creator. In
the Book of Proverbs, God personifes wisdom as a godly
woman who does not hesitate to let her voice be heard.
She stands atop a high hill where the paths meet, at
busy intersections, trying to help travelers fnd their way.
But they rush past Wisdom, most talking into cell phones
glued to their ears. Business meetings must start on
time. Carpools must follow schedules. Bills must be paid.
The travelers hardly notice Wisdom as they scurry past
her. Focused on themselves, they make their deadlines
and achieve their goals. Most do not realize they are
completely lost.
Wisdom longs to make a difference in their
stressful existence that leads to destruction. She never
stops sharing her vital message: whoever heeds Gods
instruction gains more than silver, gold, or rubies. His
truth, His directions lead listeners to life.
Father, help us shake off the hypnotizing effects of
our cultures values and listen to Your wisdom. Give
us courage to share with others who desperately
need Your truth. Amen.
SATURDAY
AUGUST 24
Ester Is Chosen
Then the kings attendants, who served him said, Let beautiful young
virgins be sought for the king. And let the king appoint overseers in all the
provinces of his kingdom that they may gather every beautiful young virgin
to Susa the capital, to the harem, into the custody of Hegai, the kings
eunuch, who was in charge of the women; and let their cosmetics be given
them. Then let the young lady who pleases
the king be queen in place of Vashti.
ESTHER 2:24
The search was on for the fairest maiden of them all.
The Book of Esther is a beautiful story of a womans
absolute faith and trust in her God. God placed Esther in a
position of authorityin order to save the people of Israel.
Mordecai, a Jew in Susa, had returned from the
Babylonian exile and was raising his orphaned niece, Esther.
And she was beautiful of form and face. . . . Esther was taken
to the kings palace (Esther 2:58).
Wisely, Esther did not make known her people or her
kindred (Esther 2:10). Esther lived in the ultimate spa resort
where, for over twelve months, she received beauty treatments
and perfume baths.
Finally, Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus. . . . And the
king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found
favor and kindness with him, so that he set the royal crown
on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti (Esther
2:1617).
In the beginning, Esther was unaware of how
God would use her life. Lord, let me be as available
and obedient to You.
SUNDAY
AUGUST 25
Mirror Image
Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair;
thou hast doves eyes.
SONG OF SOLOMON 1:15 KJV
Getting up in the morning and looking in the mirror
can be tough. The glass refects back our exact image
with all the blemishes in plain sight. In our eyes, the
faws stand out. Instead of seeing any beauty, we focus
on the imperfections. The longer we consider them, the
more pronounced they become. Before long, we see only
ugliness in ourselves.
No matter how hard we try, when the focus is on self,
we see shortcomings. Beauty treatments, plastic surgery,
makeup, beautiful clothingnothing helps. There is no
way to cover the faws we see. Our outlook even affects
how others view us.
Our only hope is to see ourselves through a different
mirror. We must remember that as we grow as Christians
we take on the characteristics of Christ. The more we
become like Him, the more beautiful we are in our own
eyes and to those around us.
When God looks at us as Christians, He sees the
refection of Christ. He sees us as very beautiful. God
loves to behold us when we are covered in Christ. The
mirror image He sees has none of the blemishes or
imperfections, only the beauty.
Oh God, thank You for beholding me as
being fair and valuable. Help me to see
myself through Your eyes. Amen.
MONDAY
AUGUST 26
Good Works Are All Around
Well reported of for good works; if [a widow] have brought
up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have
washed the saints feet, if she have relieved the afficted,
if she have diligently followed every good work.
1 TIMOTHY 5:10 KJV
Often when we read the Bible, we miss its practicality. In
Ephesians 2:10, for example, Paul tells us that we are created
for good works, which God hath before ordained that we
should walk in them (KJV).
How many times do we read this and wonder, What good
works am I supposed to do for God? We may spend hours in
prayer, laboring to fnd Gods will and discover the works we
are to do.
But the Bible shows us not many pages laterand from
the same pen as Ephesiansthe good works of a woman and
services that believers of either sex can provide. In 1 Timothy
5, we see that our good works include being faithful spouses,
bringing up children, showing hospitality to strangers and fel-
low believers, and helping those in distress.
Good work is not a mystery that we have to meditate to
fnd.
We just need to see the needs around us and meet them
as God gives us the strength and resources to do so.
Thats practicaland pureChristianity.
Father, how often I have wondered about Your
will for my life, thinking it was something grand and
glorious. But Your Word says its all around me. Help me
to see and follow the good works
that are within my reach.
TUESDAY
AUGUST 27
The Marta Syndrome
But the Lord said to her, My dear Martha, you are worried and upset
over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned
about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.
LUKE 10:4142 NLT
Mary and Martha perfectly depict the inner battle that
most women fght daily. Martha busied herself with tasks
in her desire to serve people. Mary, on the other hand,
ignored the tasks, choosing fellowship with her Master
over service to others. Martha surely felt as though she
had no choice, because the people needed to be fed
and someone had to do it. And, as scripture reports, she
resented the lack of help that she got from Mary.
What Martha was doing was not wrong; she just
had her priorities out of order. Jesus teaches her that
relationship with her Lord is the highest priority. Mary
was not about to give up precious moments with her Lord
while she labored in a kitchen.
Its very easy to create a life jam-packed with respon-
sibilities and commitments with no time to enjoy any of
it or seek fellowship with the Father. If you fnd yourself
worried and upset about many things, like Martha, take
some time out to sort through the priorities and decide
what is really important.
Jesus, I want to be like Mary, patiently and
expectantly sitting at Your feet in relationship
with You. Help me to sort out my duties and
commitments in such a way that proves that I have
discovered the one thing worthy
of my concern. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
AUGUST 28
Build for Today
Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens,
and eat the food they produce.
JEREMIAH 29:5 NLT
Skeptics sometimes accuse Christians of being so heavenly
minded that they are no earthly good. Today few of us would
sell all our earthly possessions and camp out on a hilltop,
waiting for the Lords return. However, we still often live in
Tomorrowland.
Tomorrow, we think, we will serve God more fully, after our
children are grown and we have more time. Tomorrow we will give
more, after we have paid off the car and saved enough for a down
payment on a house. Tomorrow we will study the Bible more, after
we no longer work full-time.
Jeremiahs audience, Jews deported from their homeland
to Babylon, knew all about Tomorrowland. They said, Soon
God will return us to our homes. As soon as that happens, we
will serve God. They lived with their suitcases packed, ready
to return.
God sent a stern message through His prophet Jeremiah.
Youre going to be there a long time. Put down roots where I
have sent you.
God sends the same message to us. He wants us to live
for today. We cant allow dreams for tomorrow to paralyze our
lives today.
Gods presence enables us to live in the present.
Dear heavenly Father, You have given us the gift of
today. You want us to plant gardens and make homes.
Show us joy and fulfllment in the present. Amen.
THURSDAY
AUGUST 29
Hearing Gods Spirit Speak
For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches
all things, even the depths of God. . . . Now we have received, not the
spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might
know the things freely given to us by God.
1 CORINTHIANS 2:10, 12
Have you ever tried to learn a foreign language? In high
school I decided to take Spanish, and although I met
the class requirements, I certainly didnt display unusual
profciency. Years later, God brought many Spanish-
speaking people into my life. After taking a Speed
Spanish course at the local junior college, my skills were
rejuvenated enough so I could speak on a rudimentary
level. Later I took a more in-depth class, and as long as
I practiced, the ability to speak and understand Spanish
came fairly easily.
This is exactly how to understand the things of God.
You cant rely totally on what you received in your early
education.
If you came to Christ as an adult then its probably
necessary to start from the beginning, using the Bible, not
your memory. Find out what you believe and know why.
If you never arrive at this understanding, how on earth
can you share your faith with others?
Heres an excuse heard often: We cant try to
interpret the Bible ourselves because well get confused.
But to refuse the Holy Spirit the opportunity to
instruct you, as He promised He would, is to refuse true
understanding.
Lord, fll my mind and heart
with true understanding.
FRIDAY
AUGUST 30
Delightful Study
Great are the works of the LORD;
they are pondered by all who delight in them.
PSALM 111:2 NIV
An accomplished pianist and a skilled tennis player both
know that the more they practice, the more enjoyment they
get out of their skill. Someone who has studied furniture
design can value a fne antique that another person sees as
a plain brown chest. A chef can taste and enjoy favors the
average palate cannot identify.
Have you ever thanked God for the pleasure of an orderly
column of numbers in a balanced ledger? Ever noticed the
shelves at the pharmacy and thanked God for all the research
and discovery that led to such life-saving medications? Have
you picked produce from your own garden and praised God
for the delight of harvesting?
Your delight in Gods creation is a gift from Him and an
offering of praise back to Him for what He has done. To be
thankful for the interest God gives you in creation brings
glory to Him and leads to knowing and appreciating Him
more.
Great God of all creation, Giver of all good things,
thank You for the endless beauty and wisdom in the
world around me that speaks of You.
SATURDAY,
AUGUST 31
Stop and Consider
Listen to this, Job; stop and consider Gods wonders.
Do you know how God controls the cloud and makes his
lightning fash? Do you know how the clouds hang poised,
those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge?
JOB 37:1416 NIV
On a late summer morning, as the sun streamed through
the window, Charlotte sat at her desk and stopped for
a moment. She heard a radio blasting a popular song
through the hallway, muffed sounds of her daughter
talking on her cell phone in her bedroom, the washing
machine rumbling in the laundry room.
Today the sounds of an ordinary morning caught at
her heart. Charlotte knew it wouldnt last. Change was
coming. Her daughter would be leaving for college soon,
and those noises would move with her. It wasnt that
Charlotte couldnt accept change. It was just that for one
moment she stopped, paused, and really soaked up the
sweet ordinariness of family life. Too rare, too rare.
Stop and consider My wonders, God told Job. Then
He pointed to ordinary observations of the natural world
surrounding Jobthe clouds that hung poised in the sky,
the fashes of lightning. Not so very ordinary was Gods
lesson. Maybe He was trying to remind us that there is no
such thing as ordinary. Lets open our eyes and see the
wonders around us.
O Father, teach me to stop and consider the
ordinary moments of my life as reminders of
You. Help me not to overlook Your daily care and
provisions that surround my day. Amen.
SUNDAY
SEPTEMBER 1
Jesus Wristwatch
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
EPHESIANS 5:1517 ESV
Time is money, they say. Society preaches the value of making
good use of our timeand the expense of wasting it.
In the Bible, Ephesians 5 speaks of using every
opportunity wisely. But even though scripture teaches the
value of time, Jesus never wore a watch. He didnt view His
opportunities within the bounds of earthly time.
Have you ever ended a day with guilt and regret over
the growing black hole of work yet to be completed? Or do
you feel peace at the end of your day, having walked in the
presence of the Lord?
Satan wants to consume you with endless lists of
meaningless tasks. Fight back! Concern yourself less with the
items you can cross off your to-do list, and more with those
things the Lord would have you spend your time and energy
on. You can strive to be a great multitasker or workhorsebut
its more important and fulflling to be an effcient laborer for
the Lord.
Father, help me to see where You are working and join
You there. Let me place my list of tasks aside as I seek
Your will for me today. Then give me the ability to show
myself grace over the things I do not get done.
MONDAY
SEPTEMBER 2
LABOR DAY
Our Bodies, Gods Temple
Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of
God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will
destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.
1 CORINTHIANS 3:1617
While people were living out the Old Testament times,
God dwelt in His tabernacle. At frst this was a traveling
altar, known as the ark of the covenant, which the people
carried with them from the time of Moses, through all the
lands in which they wandered. When Gods Son, Jesus
Christ, came to earth He fulflled Gods requirements
for sinful man through His death on the cross. Now God
could cleanse man that He might indwell him, for Gods
temple is to be a holy place.
As we go about the business of life perhaps its hard
to remember that God indwells us. The apostle Paul
constantly wrestled with desiring to do the right thing but
having his fesh at war with his spirit. For I know that
nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my fesh; for the
wishing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.
For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the
very evil that I do not wish (Romans 7:1819).
However, you are not in the fesh but in the Spirit,
if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. . . And if Christ
is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the
spirit is alive because of righteousness (Romans 8:910).
Lord, let me live as though I believe You are
permeating my very being. Amen.
TUESDAY
SEPTEMBER 3
Rejoicing wit Friends
Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says,
Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.
LUKE 15:6 NIV
Gathering with friends and family can be so much fun,
especially when you have something to celebrate. Birthday
parties, weddings, and anniversaries are a blast when youre
celebrating with people you love. Theres just something
about being together that adds to the excitement.
God loves a good party, especially one that celebrates
family togetherness. Just like the good shepherd in todays
verse, He throws a pretty awesome party in heaven whenever
a lost child returns to the fold. Celebrating comes naturally to
Him, andsince youre created in His imageto you, too!
Think of all the reasons you have to celebrate. Are you in
good health? Have you overcome a tough obstacle? Are you
handling your fnances without much grief? Doing well at
your job? Bonding with friends or family? If so, then throw
yourself a party and invite a friend. Better yet, call your
friends and neighbors together, as the scripture indicates.
Share your praises with people who will truly appreciate all
that the Lord is doing in your life. Let the party begin!
Lord, thank You that Im created in the image of a God
who knows how to celebrate. I have so many reasons
to rejoice today. Thank You for Your many blessings.
And today I especially want to thank You for giving me
friends to share my joys and sorrows.
WEDNESDAY
SEPTEMBER 4
Did God Say. . . ?
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 CORINTHIANS 5:7
The more complex life becomes, the easier it is to lose
our perspective.
Maybe we begin to feel that we werent supposed to
be in our current role after all. There must be someone
else who can do a better job, who can handle all the stuff
that comes up, who can do it more graciously than we
can. Did God really say we should do this?
This is the time faith really comes into play. God has
given us the taskand we must believe that not only has
He asked us to do this job, Hes also given us an abun-
dance of mental, emotional, and physical supply. And not
just once, but over and over every morning.
Rarely can we see our way clear, but we can believe
that God has the situation under His perfect control. We
can believe that He will work it for His glory and for the
good of ourselves and those around us.
As we learn to become more and more dependent on
God, we trust Him more and more. Our faith, though it
may have begun as the size of a mustard seed, will grow
into a mighty tree.
Lord, I thank You for choosing me to work
with You. Give me the faith I need to see Your
hand in everyday circumstances and to ask
You for the help I need.
THURSDAY
SEPTEMBER 5
Persistenty Presented Petitions
O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.
MATTHEW 15:28 NKJV
When our loved ones are troubledemotionally, spiritually,
fnancially, physically, mentallyour hearts are heavy and
we feel helpless. But with Christs ear within reach of our
voice, we are anything but powerless. We have an interceder,
someone to whom we can continually go and present our
petitions.
In Matthew 15:2128, a Canaanite woman asked Jesus
for mercy and to heal her demon-possessed daughter. At frst
Christ seemed not to hear her pleas. The disciples, irritated
with her persistence, told Jesus to send her away.
Yet this woman had dogged determination. She knew that
the Son of God could heal her daughter. She continued to
plead, driven by love for her child and faith in Christs power.
Her insistence was met by a reproach from Christ, who
told her He did not come to help the Gentiles but the Jews.
This had to have crushed her expectations. Yet even then
she persisted. She did not despair but continued running
after Him, worshipping Him, pleading with Him, begging for
mercy.
Jesus reproached her again. But still she was undeterred.
Finally, Jesus said the words we all long to hear: Woman,
great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.
May we live our lives as persistent in our petitions as the
Canaanite woman. And may God see our faith and honor our
requests as we boldly bring the needs of others before His
throne!
God, I come to You, bringing the concerns of others.
Lord, have mercy! Help these people in their
hour of need. Amen.
FRIDAY
SEPTEMBER 6
God, Judge of Immorality Past and Present
For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were
all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and all were
baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same
spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were
drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was
Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased;
for they were laid low in the wilderness. Now these things happened
as examples for us, that we should not crave evil things, as they also
craved. . . . Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did,
and twenty-three thousand fell in one day.
1 CORINTHIANS 10:16, 8
By reading the entire Bible we have the privilege of
learning from Gods dealings with men and women
throughout recorded history so we will not fall into the
same traps. Twenty-three thousand people fell by the sword
in one day because they joined themselves with pagan gods
in sexual rituals, refusing to obey the true God.
How can we stop ourselves from falling into sin? By
remembering: No temptation has overtaken you but such
as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not
allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but
with the temptation will provide the way of escape also,
that you may be able to endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Father, help me avoid temptation by
taking one step closer to You.
SATURDAY
SEPTEMBER 7
Desperate Fait
And He said to her, Daughter, your faith has made you well.
Go in peace, and be healed of your affiction.
MARK 5:34 NKJV
When Jesus healed the woman with the hemorrhage, He
commended her faith. She had exhausted all her resources
on doctors to no avail. Without addressing Jesus at all, she
simply got near Him in a crowd and touched His clothes.
Instantly His power healed her, and He knew that she had
reached out to Him in a way no one else in the pressing
throng had. What was unusual about this womans touch?
Why would Jesus commend her faith?
Maybe in her touch He felt her complete emptiness and
need. She had nowhere else to turn. He was the source of
healing power. Her faith was an act of utter dependence; it
was Jesus or nothing.
Proverbs 3:56 tell us to trust in the Lord with all our
hearts and not lean on our understanding. This is hard to
do, since we prefer to trust in the Lord along with our own
understanding of how things should work out. Though we are
given minds to read, think, and reason, ultimately our faith
comes from abandoning hope in ourselves and risking all on
Jesus.
Lord, I am often blind to my own weakness
and my need of You. Help me to trust You
the way this sick woman did.
SUNDAY
SEPTEMBER 8
Why Me?
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending,
saith the Lord, which is, and which was,
and which is to come, the Almighty.
REVELATION 1:8 KJV
When we fnd ourselves in diffcult situations, what do we
do?
Many people look at those circumstances selfshly and
cry: Oh God, why me? Why do these things happen to me?
But we mortals have a too-narrow view of our exis-
tence. In our minds, this world at this time is all there is.
Sure, God is eternalbut maybe that just means He was
around before us and had some supervision that we would
come into being someday.
If thats our concept of God, we need to read His
Word more closely.
Jesus said He is the Alpha and Omega. Hes the
beginning and the end. Jesus, like the Father, is. He is the
ever-present One who is apart from time.
When God spoke our world into existence, He called
into being a certain reality, knowing then everything that
ever was to happenand everyone who ever was to be.
That you exist now is cause for rejoicing! God made you
to fellowship with Him! If that fellowship demands trials for
a season, rejoice that God thinks you worthy to share in the
sufferings of Christand, eventually, in His glory.
Why do these things happen to you?
Because God in His infnite wisdom, love, and grace
determined them to be. Praise His holy name!
Father, I thank You for giving me this diffcult
time in my life. Shine through all my trials today.
I want You to get the glory.
MONDAY
SEPTEMBER 9
Fait, te Emotional Balancer
No man is justifed by the law in the sight of God,
it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
GALATIANS 3:11 KJV
Our moods often dictate our actions. For instance, we
schedule lunch with a friend for Saturday afternoon, but
on Saturday morning we regret having made plans. Or we
strategize what to accomplish on our day off but suffer from
mental anemia and physical fatigue when the day arrives.
So we fail to do what we had intended to do in a more
enthusiastic moment.
Emotions mislead us. One day shines with promise as we
bounce out of bed in song, while the next day dims in despair
and wed prefer to hide under the bedcovers. One moment we
forgive, the next we harbor resentment.
The emotional roller coaster thrusts us into mood
changes and affects what we do, what we say, and the attitudes
that defne us.
It has been said that faith is the bird that feels the light
and sings to greet the dawn while it is still dark. The Bible
instructs us to live by faithnot by feelings. Faith assures us
that daylight will dawn in our darkest moments, affrming
Gods presence so that even when we fail to pray and positive
feelings fade, our moods surrender to song.
Heavenly Father, I desire for my faith, not my emotions,
to dictate my life. I pray for balance
in my hide-under-the-cover days, so that I
might surrender to You in song. Amen.
TUESDAY
SEPTEMBER 10
The Holy Spirit, Our Great Gift
Therefore I make known to you, that no one speaking by the
Spirit of God says, Jesus is accursed; and no one can say,
Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.
1 CORINTHIANS 12:3
For twenty-nine years a desperate woman waded through
the motions of life, wondering whether the Creator really
cared for her at all. Her loneliness and despair seemed
to confrm to her that He didnt. And then came the day
when the Gospel message fnally penetrated her soul with
its extraordinary light and she began to call Him Lord.
I was that woman. When I heard todays Scripture the
truth few straight and sure as an arrow to the deepest part
of my being.
Its no accident that despair caused me to succumb to
messages of doubt concerning Gods nature and character.
The evil one is, after all, the author of confusion and lies.
However, as I tested the spirits the truth became clear. By
this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses
that Jesus Christ has come in the fesh is from God; and
every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God;
and this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have
heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world
(1 John 4:23).
Lord, I know if Im listening to a message
that makes me depressed and defeated, thats
from Satan. I know the one that says Im
worth dying for is from Christ.
WEDNESDAY
SEPTEMBER 11
A Healty Fear
To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and
arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
PROVERBS 8:13 NIV
When we think about our fears, our minds and bodies almost
always tense. Whether its a fear of heights, spiders, public
speaking, failure, or being alone, everyone has fears. In fact,
its considered perfectly natural to avoid what we fear.
Why does the Bible say we should fear God? In reality,
to fear God is not the same as fearing the creepy-crawly
spider inching up the living room wall. Instead, we fear God
when we have a deep respect and reverence for Him.
Imagine that the president of the United States was
paying your home a visit. The house would be extra clean,
the laundry would be washed and put away, and the children
would be instructed to be on their best behavior. Why?
Because the visitor deserves respect.
Our lives should refect a similar reverence for our
heavenly Father every dayour souls scrubbed extra clean,
sin eliminated, and love for our Creator bursting forth in joy.
God wants speech and actions to match. Take time today to
stand in awe of the One who deserves our greatest respect
and love.
Lord, help my daily actions and speech
to refect my respect for You. Amen.
THURSDAY
SEPTEMBER 12
Peace, Be Still
God makes his people strong. God gives his people peace.
PSALM 29:11 MSG
At the center of lifes storms, how do we fnd peace? If
were tossed about, struggling and hopeless, where is the
peace? Dont worrypeace can be ours for the asking.
You see, God is our peace. He is ready to calm our
storms when we call on Him. He will comfort and
strengthen us each day.
The Bible tells of Peter and the other disciples, who
were rowing their small boat against strong waves on the
way to Capernaum. They knew Jesus was planning to join
them, but theyd drifted out into the sea and left Him far
behind. When they saw Jesus walking on the water, they
were terrifedbut He spoke and calmed their fears.
Impulsive Peter asked to meet Jesus on the water. He
stepped out of the boat and, briefy, walked on the waves
like his Lord. As long as Peters eyes were on Jesus, he
stayed atop the waterbut the moment he looked away,
he sank. Peter learned a valuable lesson.
The lesson works for believers today: Keep your eyes
focused on the problems and youll have mayhem. Focus
on Jesus and youll have peace.
Dear Lord, I thank You for Your protection.
Help me to keep my eyes on You.
Please grant me peace.
FRIDAY
SEPTEMBER 13
What s This Thing in My Eye?
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brothers eye
and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
LUKE 6:41 NIV
Whether we admit it or not, we judge others. Maybe its how
they look (Just how many tattoos does a person need?) or
their political leaning (How can you call yourself a Christian
and vote for a president from that party?). Sometimes we
pigeonhole others because of an accent (What an ignorant
hillbilly!) or an achievement of some kind (Mr. Smarty Pants
thinks hes better than everyone else because of his PhD.)
Our Father God urges us not to judge others in this way.
After all, He doesnt look at our outward appearance. He
doesnt pay attention to our political affliation or anything
else in our lives that is open to interpretation. He looks at the
heart and judges by whether we have a personal relationship
with Him.
In Luke 6:41, Jesus reminds us through His sawdust/
plank analogy that none of us are blameless. Its important
to put our own shortcomings into perspective when we face
the temptation to judge others. Today, work on removing the
plank from your eye and praise God for His gift of grace!
God, please forgive me for the times that I have judged
others. Help me to develop a gentle spirit that can share
Your love and hope in a nonjudgmental way. Amen.
SATURDAY
SEPTEMBER 14
What Response Does God Require?
With what shall I come to the LORD and bow myself before the
God on high? . . . He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice,
to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
MICAH 6:6, 8
They drag themselves across the uneven pavement until
their knees are bloodied and their exhausted bodies fnally
fall against the splintered wooden doors to the church.
In this way, many in Mexico seek to do their yearly public
penance for sin.
Christ has already paid the price that needed to be
exacted for our sins. He took the whips, the lashes, the
nailing to the cross, the verbal rebukes, and also the
physical agony on our behalf. The God of this universe
looked upon our futility and became a man, and then He
sacrifced His life so that we who did not and could not
ever deserve His mercy might obtain it. Jesus Christ did all
this because He is both just and kind.
Isaiah prophesied the promise of Christs cross.
Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows
He carried. . . . But He was pierced through for our
transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the
chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His
scourging we are healed (Isaiah 53:45).
Though I expend every effort, I can never rid
myself of sin. Youve already provided the only
way in which I can be cleansed.
SUNDAY
SEPTEMBER 15
My Way or Gods Way?
Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in justice, and He teaches the humble His way. . . .
He will instruct him in the way he should choose.
PSALM 25:89, 12
In todays culture, it is easy to follow my way. We are
bombarded with advertisements from TV, magazines,
billboards, and the Internet that tell us It is all about
me and We can have it all. We have access to people,
information, and products 24/7. We have the Internet, e-mail,
telephone, cell phone, fax, and pager that provide us with
availability and resources. In buying anything, there is an
overwhelming number of options to choose from. With all
these distractions, it is not surprising that we have diffculty
surrendering daily to Gods way.
Nevertheless, God wants us to live life His way. Our good
and upright God tells us that when we come before Him as
humble, meek, needy, or afficted, He will teach us what is
right and just. God will teach us His way of living. If it is a
decision that needs to be made, a course of action that needs
to be taken, or a word that needs to be spoken, God will
instruct us in a manner consistent with who He is. Therefore,
it is of the utmost importance that we intentionally fall before
the throne of God seeking His way, not our own. What way
will you choose today?
Good and upright God, please allow me not to be
distracted in this world but to focus on You. Teach me
Your way, I humbly pray. Amen.
MONDAY
SEPTEMBER 16
Choose Life
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
JOHN 10:10 NIV
Too often, it seems as if the negatives of life outweigh the
positives. The bills are piling up and its a juggling act to
see who gets paid this month. Your loved one needs to
have special care during the upcoming treatments. Youre
exhausted and lacking mental focus. Life begins to cave in
around you. . . . Its just too much!
Gods Word, though, shows us the lieand the
liarbehind those defeating thoughts. We have an
enemy who delights in our believing such negative things,
an enemy who wants only destruction for our souls. But
Jesus came to give us life! We only have to choose it, as an
act of the will blended with faith.
God is always a gentlemanHes not going to force
His life on us. But when we rely on Him alone, Hell en-
able us to not only survive but thrive in our daily routine.
Each day, lets make a conscious decision to take hold
of what Christ offers uslife, to the full.
Loving Lord, help me daily to choose You and the
life You want to give me. Give me the eyes of faith
to trust that You will enable me to serve lovingly.
TUESDAY
SEPTEMBER 17
Follow te Lords Footsteps
Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will make you fshers of men.
MATTHEW 4:19 NIV
The beach was empty except for one lone walker near
the waters edge. With every step she took, her feet left
an impression in the sand. But as the waves lapped upon
the shore, her footprints quickly vanished. Following her
footsteps would have been impossible unless someone were
walking close behind.
Jesus asked His disciples to follow Him, and He asks us
to do the same. It sounds simple, but following Jesus can be
a challenge. Sometimes we become impatient, not wanting to
wait upon the Lord. We run ahead of Him by taking matters
into our own hands and making decisions without consulting
Him frst. Or perhaps we arent diligent to keep in step with
Him. We fall behind, and soon Jesus seems so far away.
Following Jesus requires staying right on His heels. We
need to be close enough to hear His whisper. Stay close to His
heart by opening the Bible daily. Allow His Word to speak to
your heart and give you direction. Throughout the day, offer
up prayers for guidance and wisdom. Keep in step with Him,
and His close presence will bless you beyond measure.
Dear Lord, grant me the desire to follow You.
Help me not to run ahead or lag behind. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
SEPTEMBER 18
How to Know If Youre in Love
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love,
I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
1 CORINTHIANS 13:1
Although we love each other deeply, I know there will be
times when well fail to be there for one another. Thats
when well go to the Lord to receive in abundance what
we lack. These words of wisdom were spoken by a twenty-
four-year-old woman who had just become engaged. If
only more marriages began this way! For even though
weve prayed for godly mates, and then relied on His
guidance, there will still be times when our attempts to
love are less than perfect.
However, if both man and woman turn back to Gods
blueprint, harmony can be restored. Love is patient, love
is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not
arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its
own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong
suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices
with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all
things, endures all things. Love never fails (1 Corinthians
13:48).
Why dont more people tap in to this resource? To
truly love someone means that we will always place that
persons welfare above our own. This, after all, is how God
loves us.
Lord, help me exhibit true love.
THURSDAY,
SEPTEMBER 19
Budget Breaker
Then the LORD said to Moses, Behold, I will rain bread
from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather
a days portion every day, that I may test them, whether
or not they will walk in My instruction.
EXODUS 16:4
The month lasted longer than the paycheck. The grocery bill
exceeded the budget. Medical expenses surpassed the rent.
Its not an easy road to travel, yet one that many of us walk.
Isnt it interesting that we can trust God for eternal life,
yet fnd it harder to trust Him for help with the mortgage?
In the Old Testament, God told the wandering Israelites
He would feed them manna from heaven, but with one
caveat: He would only allow them to gather enough food for
one day. No storing food away for the dreaded what if s
of tomorrow. They would simply have to trust their God to
faithfully supply their needs.
They didnt always pass the trust testand neither do
we. But thankfully, God is faithful in spite of us! He will meet
our needs when we come to Him in simple trust. Then we can
bask in His faithfulness.
Father, Your Word promises to supply all my needs. I
trust You in spite of the challenges I see. You are ever
faithful. Thank You!
FRIDAY
SEPTEMBER 20
Annual or Perennial?
They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each
season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.
PSALM 1:3 NLT
Emily and Lisa had a lot in common, but their gardening
preference was not one of them. Every spring, Emily
ran to the garden center at her local home improvement
store to purchase cartloads of beautiful fowers. Soon her
yard would be a riot of colorfrom daisies to zinnias and
everything in between.
While Emily was busy at the home improvement
store, Lisa patiently waited. The majority of her planting
had been done in the fall and in prior years, so each
spring she simply waited. Nothing inspired hope in Lisa
like the little green shoots poking their heads out of
ground that had been cold for far too long.
Annuals or perennials? Each has its advantages.
Annuals are inexpensive, provide instant gratifcation,
and keep boredom from setting in. Perennials require an
initial investment, but when properly tended, faithfully
provide beauty year after yearlong after the annuals
have dried up and withered away. Whats more, perennials
generally become fuller and more lush with each year of
growth. Perennials are designed for the long haulnot
just short-term enjoyment but long-term beauty.
The application to our lives is twofold. First, be a
perenniallong lasting, enduring, slow growing, steady,
and faithful. Second, dont be discouraged by your
inevitable dormant seasons. Tend to your soul, and it will
reward you with years of lush blossoms.
Father, be the gardener of my soul. Amen.
SATURDAY
SEPTEMBER 21
Have You Looked Up?
The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display
his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
PSALM 19:12 NLT
One afternoon, Cathy was walking around the park near
her home. Her mind whirred with concerns about work and
worries about her family.
Suddenly, a man called out, Hey lady! Have you looked
up?
She stopped and turned to see who was shouting. The
voice belonged to an elderly man, seated on a bench.
Have you looked up? he asked her again.
She lifted her head and saw a magnifcent scarlet oak
tree, with leaves of crimson at the peak of their color. It was
so beautiful, such a feeting autumnal sight, that it took her
breath away. She thanked the man and resumed her walk,
relaxed and grateful after being reminded to look up!
God has placed glimpses of creations majestyevidence
of His lovethroughout our world. Sunsets, seashells,
fowers, snowfakes, changing seasons, moonlit shadows. Such
glories are right in front of us, every single day! But we must
develop eyes to see these reminders in our daily life and not
let the cares and busyness of our lives keep our heads turned
down.
Have you looked up today?
Lord, open my eyes! Unstuff my ears! Teach
me to see the wonders of Your creation every
day and to point them out to my children.
SUNDAY
SEPTEMBER 22
FIRST DAY OF AUTUMN
True Environmentalists
But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you; and the birds of the
heavens, and let them tell you. Or speak to the earth, and let it teach
you; and let the fsh of the sea declare to you. Who among all these
does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this, in whose hand
is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?
JOB 12:710
The news media regularly report how the earths resources
and species are diminishing rapidly. Perhaps we have
forgotten that God also cares about every living thing.
While I was visiting with friends recently, one asked if
animals go to heaven. I reminded her man alone is made
in the image and likeness of God, and also the recipient
of salvation. This pat answer seemed to leave my friends
very disappointed. So, I offer another verse of Scripture
as comfort: And there is no creature hidden from His
sight (Hebrews 4:13).
For in Him all things were created, both in the
heavens and on earth. . .all things have been created
through Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16). Its
important to remember that Christ created animals for our
enjoyment. Therefore, be grateful to the Lord.
Lord, I know that even if I didnt have Your written
Word, the order and perfection of Your creation
still prove Your existence!
MONDAY
SEPTEMBER 23
Waters Cost
To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without
cost from the spring of the water of life.
REVELATION 21:6 NIV
Drinking an ice-cold glass of water on a hot summer day is a
wonderful experience. It seems that the thirstier we are, the
better water tastes and the more of it we can drink.
Imagine attending a sporting event in the heat of the day.
The sun beats down on you, you sweat like crazy, your senses
become dull, and an overwhelming desire for a cold bottle of
water gradually becomes the only thing you can think about.
The players disappear, and the hard bleachers cease to matter;
you would pay any amount of money for one sip of water.
Jesus, well aware of basic human needs, likens His
message to water, the spring of the water of life. Just as we
cannot live without water, we cannot live without the Word
of God. We are shocked to learn that this life-giving message,
one we must have at any price, and one to which we cannot
assign value, costs us nothing. Jesus loves us so much that He
gave up His life that we might partake of these invigorating
waters. So drink up, and leave your money at home; the water
of life is free.
Dear Lord, thank You for letting me drink for free from
the spring of the water of life. Help me to remember
Your sacrifce and Your love for me. Amen.
TUESDAY
SEPTEMBER 24
You Are an Answer to Prayer
Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
The Father is a merciful God, who always gives
us comfort. He comforts us when we are in trouble,
so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble.
2 CORINTHIANS 1:34 CEV
Its part of our maturing process. At some point, as
Christians, we should arrive at a place where we are
comfortable using our own past experiences and current
circumstances as tools to reach out to others in need. A
maturing believer is one who is beginning to look back
on the things she has gone through with gratitude, as her
purpose in the body of Christ begins to unfold.
For various reasons, it can be diffcult to move past
that point of being ministered to, in order to minister to
others in need. But, according to the apostle Paul, one
of the reasons God comforts us is so we can share that
comfort with others when they need it.
We might say, Im just a new Christian, or I
wouldnt know what to say. But as members of the body
of Christ, we are an extension of the Holy Spirit.
So when someone is praying for comfort, be ready
it might just be you God will send to minister to that
hurting soul.
Jesus, please help me open my heart and eyes to
see the needs around me. Give me the grace and
wisdom to comfort others with the comfort You
have shown me time and time again.
WEDNESDAY
SEPTEMBER 25
SEE YOU AT THE POLE
Faul t less
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you
before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy.
JUDE 1:24 NIV
Who is at fault? Who is to blame? When something goes
wrong at work, at home, or at church, someone is held
accountable. People want to know who is responsible, who
made a mistake. The ones pointing fngers of accusation dont
always care about the truth as much as they do about making
sure they arent blamed for the transgression.
Ever since God confronted Adam and Eve in the Garden
of Eden, we have been pointing fngers at someone else
instead of taking responsibility for our own actions. Shame
and fear make us want to deny we have done any wrong even
when we have done so accidentally or by mistake. We value
what God and other people think of us. When we are at
odds with God or others over a transgression, we often
become depressed.
Jesus loves us so much despite our shortcomings. He is
the One who can keep us from fallingwho can present us
faultless before the Father. Because of this we can have our
joy restored no matter what. Whether we have done wrong
and denied it or have been falsely accused, we can come into
His presence to be restored and lifted up. Let us keep our
eyes on Him instead of on our need to justify ourselves to
God or others.
Thank You, Jesus, for Your cleansing love and for the joy
we can fnd in Your presence. Amen.
THURSDAY
SEPTEMBER 26
Reflecting God in Our Work
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,
as working for the Lord, not for men.
COLOSSIANS 3:23 NIV
Parents often tell their children to do their best in school
or to behave well when they visit friends homes. Children
are a refection of their parents. When a mom and dad
send their offspring out into the world, they can only
hope that the refection will be a positive one.
As believers, we are Gods children. No one is perfect,
and for this there is grace. However, we may be the only
refection of our heavenly Father that some will ever see.
Our attitudes and actions on the job speak volumes to
those around us. Although it may be tempting to do just
enough to get by, we put forth our best effort when we
remember we represent God to the world. A Christians
character on the job should be a positive refection of the
Lord.
This is true of our work at home as well. No one
would disagree that daily chores are often monotonous,
but we are called to face them with a cheerful spirit. God
will give us the ability to do so when we ask Him.
Father, help me today to represent
You well through my work. I want to
refect Your love in all I do. Amen.
FRIDAY
SEPTEMBER 27
Whom Do You Follow, Moses or Christ ?
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus,
the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. He was faithful to Him
who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house. For He has been
counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of
the house has more honor than the house. For every house is
built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.
HEBREWS 3:14
Do you ever wake up thinking about someone you may not
have seen in years? Well, thats a God call. God may be
prompting your heart to respond to that persons need for
encouragement.
One of Pauls great gifts was that of being an encourager.
Yes, he spoke the truth unabashedly, yet he tempered it with
praise and hope. As you therefore have received Christ Jesus
the Lord, so walk in Him, having been frmly rooted and now
being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you
were instructed, and overfowing with gratitude (Colossians
2:67).
The writer of the Book of Hebrews spoke with the same
conviction and understanding. Encourage one another day
after day, as long as it is still called Today, lest any one of you
be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become
partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our
assurance frm until the end (Hebrews 3:1314).
Mans memory of his own disobedience is so quickly
forgotten, Lord. The opportunity to follow Christ lays
before me. Lord, help me respond.
SATURDAY
SEPTEMBER 28
Do Not Be Afraid
Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by
name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with
you. When you go through rivers of diffculty, you will not drown.
When you walk through the fre of oppression, you will not be burned
up; the fames will not consume you.
ISAIAH 43:12 NLT
Trials are inevitable, a part of life. God uses them to refne
us, to burn up the dross, to mold us into the image of
Jesus Christ. Even He was not immune to the diffculties
of life. Jesus faced persecution, mocking, and death on
the cross.
But in the midst of all trouble, Jesus walks beside
us. He holds our noses above the water; He wraps us in
fame-retardant clothing. We will not drown, nor will we
be consumed in the fery furnace. Why? Because He ran-
somed us. He paid sins penalty, He delivered us from the
slave market of sin, and He calls us by name.
So when you feel like youre drowning in a food of
trouble and diffculty, breathe deeply and relax. Bodysurf
across those waves. Even if the fre of oppression singes
you, remember that His promise says you will not be
consumed. He will satisfy your desires in the scorched
places (Isaiah 58:11).
Face life with no fearyou are Gods.
Father, may I keep my focus on You today,
not on the water that threatens to drown me
or the fre that threatens to engulf me. I am Yours,
and You will enable me to walk through the
dangers that surround me.
SUNDAY
SEPTEMBER 29
Forgiven Much
She began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them
with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
LUKE 7:38 NIV
It was an extravagant, unacceptable event in Simons eyes.
To Jesus, it was a beautiful expression of love. How could the
same actions be viewed so differently by host and guest?
Imagine it as a theatrical production. The stage is set. Its
dinnertime in the home of Simon, a Pharisee well-versed in
the law. Two main characters recline at the tableSimon and
Jesus. Others are there as well.
Suddenly a woman with a questionable reputation bursts
onto the scene. She was not invited and is poorly dressed. As
she weeps, her tears fall upon Jesus feet. Breaking custom,
she lets down her hair. She wipes Jesus feet, kisses them, and
pours perfume on them. Gasps are heard. Such indiscretion!
But Jesus smiles.
The horrifed host mutters that if Jesus were truly a
prophet, He would know this was a sinful woman.
Christ shares a story: One man owed much, and another
man little, but neither could pay their debts. The moneylender
canceled both debts. Which will love the moneylender more?
Naturally, answered Simon, the one who owed the
greater debt.
Simon had not washed Christs feet. In contrast, this
woman of ill repute was beside herself with appreciation. The
woman loved much because she was forgiven much.
Extravagant forgiveness and extravagant love were
displayed that day. Christ told her to go in peace. Another life
changed by the Master.
Lord, teach me to love You more.
I have been forgiven much. Amen.
MONDAY
SEPTEMBER 30
Just Half a Cup
I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the
world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.
JOHN 17:13 NIV
Just half a cup, please. A friend is offered a cup of
piping hot coffee, but she declines a full cup, accepting
only a small amount. Perhaps she is trying to be polite,
or maybe she feels as though shes had enough coffee
already that day. But it is diffcult and unnatural for her
friend to stop pouring at half a cup, so she pours just a
bit more than what was requested. She wants to give her
friend the fullest possible measure of enjoyment that she
can in that one cup of coffee.
Thats how our Father feels when He longs to bestow
His richest blessings and wisdom on us. He loves us, so
He desires to fll our cup to overfowing with the things
that He knows will bring us pleasure and growth. Do you
tell Him to stop pouring when your cup is only half full?
You may not even realize it, but perhaps your actions
dictate that your cup remain half empty. Seek a full cup
and enjoy the full measure of the joy of the Lord.
Dear Jesus, forgive me for not accepting the
fullness of Your blessings and Your joy. Help me
to see the ways that I prevent my cup from being
flled to overfowing. Thank You for wanting me to
have the fullness of Your joy. Amen.
TUESDAY
OCTOBER 1
Hide and Seek
And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not, for behold, I am
bringing disaster upon all fesh, declares the LORD.
JEREMIAH 45:5 ESV
When we were little girls, we all dreamed big. Maybe we
aspired to be a prima ballerina, to win an Oscar, or to own a
mansion. Somewhere along the line our expectations fell into
step with reality.
While the scope of our dreams may have narrowed, our
desire for great things probably never changed. Wed like
recognition for our talents, we want success at work, and we
hope for more than just a minimum standard of living.
But God warns us: Dont seek great things. The more we
seek them, the more elusive they become. As soon as we think
we have them in our grasp, they disappear. If we commit to
more activities than we can realistically handle, the best result
is that we cant follow through. Worse, we might make them
our god. Our Godthe true Godwants to rearrange our
priorities.
Jesus tells us what we should seek: the kingdom of God
and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). He wont hide from us.
When we seek the right things, Hell give us every good and
perfect gift (James 1:17). And that will be more than we can
ask or dream.
Lord, please teach me to seek not greatness,
but You. May You be the all in all of my life.
WEDNESDAY
OCTOBER 2
For What Are You Zealous?
For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God?
Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to
please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
GALATIANS 1:10
Save the Whales, Save the Rain Forests, read the
placards of our times. But where are the billboards that
proclaim, Save the Human Soul? Paul carried such a sign
every day.
He was a Jews Jew and profcient at keeping the
law of Moses. Then Pauls life took an unscheduled
detour. But when He who had set me apart, even from
my mothers womb, and called me through His grace, was
pleased to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him
among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with
fesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those
who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia,
and returned once more to Damascus (Galatians 1:15
17).
Paul didnt sit around asking men for their opinions.
Christs call was suffcient. Therefore, he devoted himself
to study, prayer, and meditation alone with his Lord. For
although hed known the Scriptures, he had approached
them from the wrong perspective. Paul would spend three
years allowing his Lord to instruct him correctly in all that
hed missed the frst time.
Lord, what are my own misconceptions
concerning Your Word? Teach me the
true meaning of the Scriptures.
THURSDAY
OCTOBER 3
Location, Location, Location
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will fnd rest in the shadow
of the Almighty. This I declare about the LORD: He alone is
my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.
PSALM 91:12 NLT
Where do you live? Where are you living right now, this
instant?
If you are abiding in Christ, moment by moment, you
are constantly safe under His protection. In that secret place,
that hidden place in Him, you can maintain a holy serenity,
a peace of mind that surpasses all understanding. If you are
trusting in God, nothing can move you or harm you.
If money problems, physical illness, time pressures, job
woes, the state of the world, or something else is getting you
down, check your location. Where are you? Where is your
mind? Where are your thoughts?
Let what the world has conditioned you to think go in
one ear and out the other. Stand on the truth, the promises of
Gods Word. Say of the Lord, God is my refuge! I am hidden
in Christ! Nothing can harm me. In Him I trust! Say it loud.
Say it often. Say it over and over until it becomes your reality.
And you will fnd yourself dwelling in that secret place every
moment of the day.
God, You are my refuge. When I abide in You, nothing
can harm me. Your Word is the truth
on which I rely. Fill me with Your light
and the peace of Your love. Its You and me,
Lord, all the way! Amen.
FRIDAY
OCTOBER 4
An Hour Apart
And he cometh unto the disciples, and fndeth them asleep,
and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
MATTHEW 26:40 KJV
An old hymn describes a sweet hour of prayer, but lets
be honest: Few of us have an hour to spend with the Lord
every day. When those rare opportunities come, we dont
even know how to handle them. But simply trying to fll
an hour with spiritual things can be a real blessing.
Picture yourself sitting at a table, Bible in hand. You
have an hour in front of you. What do you do?
First, choose a passage to study. Read through it at
least fve times, in different translations, if possible. Use
a dictionaryboth an English and a Bible dictionary
to check the meaning of any unusual words. Use a
concordance to fnd other places where key words appear
in the Bible. Check out the cross-references found in
many Bibles.
Ask the fve Ws (who, what, when, where, and why)
about the passage, and summarize what youve learned.
List any lessons you can apply to your life.
Ask God to make you a doer of His Word, not only a
hearer. Then, as a fnal step, share what God has taught
you with someone else.
Lord and Savior, show me when and how
to carve out an hour with You. Make me
hungry for that intimate time.
SATURDAY
OCTOBER 5
Trut in Love
O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in
man who walks to direct his own steps. O LORD, correct me,
but with justice; not in Your anger, lest You bring me to nothing.
JEREMIAH 10:2324 NKJV
A good friend will tell you the truth. No, those pants do not
fatter you. Hes not the right guy for you. Yes, you need
to update your hairstyle. Hopefully, she will go even further
and gently help you see your missteps. Are you a gossip?
A grumbler? Even when it is painful to hear, the truth is
liberating.
Though confrontation is diffcult, if we love someone, it is
good and right to speak the truth in love. Jeremiah 17:9 tells
us that our own hearts are wicked, and we cant understand
our own feelings and actions. Our tendency is to rationalize
our sinful behavior. Thankfully, God has given us the gift of
the Holy Spirit to help us on our journey. If we ask, the Lord
is faithful to His Word and He will reveal our motivations to
us. We can use Jeremiahs words as our prayer, asking God to
correct us, to show us what is true and how to live in light of it.
Thank You, Father, that You are the discerner of hearts,
that You gently show me my sin, and that You have given
me Your Holy Spirit to help me.
SUNDAY
OCTOBER 6
Get Those Hammers Ready
Thus says the LORD of hosts, This people says, The time has not come,
even the time for the house of the LORD to be rebuilt. Then the word of
the LORD came by Haggai the prophet saying, Is it time for you yourselves
to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate? Now
therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts, Consider your ways!
HAGGAI 1:25
Since our winters here in California are fairly mild, a coat
of paint can last about twenty years. The roof, however,
is another story. When several severe rainstorms hit the
coastline, we knew wed ignored that roof long enough!
This same shabby state of affairs could be seen
during the time of Haggai with Gods temple. Although
a small remnant had begun rebuilding, they had become
overwhelmed. For about sixteen years the temple stood like
a piece of unfnished furniture. Now God commissioned
Haggai to bring His motivating Word to the people.
So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel
the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit
of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the
spirit of the remnant of the people; and they came and
worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God
(Haggai 1:14).
The task loomed larger than life so the Lord spoke
again:
. . . take courage. . . declares the LORD, and work; for I
am with you (Haggai 2:4).
Lord, whatever task is overwhelming me today You
have the strength to see it through to fulfllment.
MONDAY
OCTOBER 7
Light My Pat
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
PSALM 119:105 NIV
Amy was walking a usually well-lit path around the lake. But
tonight, the streetlamps had not come onand the moon,
though large and full, was covered by thick clouds. She had
often walked around the lake, but this night, Amy stumbled
over unnoticed tree limbs and half-buried rocks. Then the
streetlamps fickered to life and a golden light illuminated
the path. Amy could speed her pace, easily avoiding the
dangerous obstructions.
Gods Word is like a streetlamp. Often, we think we
know where were going and where the stumbling blocks
are. We believe we can avoid pitfalls and maneuver the path
successfully on our own. But the truth is that without Gods
Word, we are walking in darkness, stumbling and tripping.
When we sincerely begin to search Gods Word, we fnd
the path becomes clear. We see everything in a new light,
a light that makes it obvious which way to turn and what
choices to make. Gods light allows us to live our lives in the
most fulflling way possible, a way planned out from the very
beginning by God Himself.
Jesus, shine Your light upon my path. I have spent too
long wandering through the darkness, looking for my
way. As I search Your Word, I ask You to make it a lamp
to my feet so that I can avoid the pitfalls of the
world and walk safely along the path
You have created specifcally for me.
TUESDAY
OCTOBER 8
A Different Cup to Fill
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee.
PSALM 63:1 KJV
It is early morning and we stumble from our beds to
take a shower, apply makeup, and blow-dry our hair.
Meanwhile, coffee brews in the kitchen, and with a yawn
we fll our cups. Busy women have limited time to relax,
refect, and pray. Yet a different and more signifcant type
of cup longs to be flledour spirit.
King David resided over the nation of Israel and
all that that entailed. Yet he found time to seek the
counsel, mercy, and direction of God daily. The more
responsibilities he assumed, the more he prayed and
meditated on Gods precepts. Well before David was
inundated with worldly concerns, nagging obligations,
and his administrative duties, the Bible suggests that he
sought the Lord in the early morning hours.
If the king of Israel recognized his need to spend
time with God, how much more should we? When we
seek our heavenly Father before daily activities demand
our attention, the Holy Spirit regenerates our spirits, and
our cups overfow.
Dear Lord, I take this time to pray and spend time
with You before I attend to daily responsibilities.
Fill my cup with the presence and power of Your
Spirit. Give me the wisdom and direction
I need today. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
OCTOBER 9
Power Up
The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.
ROMANS 8:11 NLT
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His strength
does not diminish over time. That same mountain-moving
power you read about in the lives of people from the Old and
New Testaments still exists today. The same power that caused
the walls of Jericho to fall, an ax to foat, and a dead girl to
live again is still available today. The force of God that formed
the world, brought the dry land above the waters of the sea,
and raised Jesus from the dead is available to work out the
details of your life.
Its natural to want to do things on our own. We all want
to be independent and strong. When faced with a challenge,
the frst thing we do is try to work it out in our own skill and
abilitywithin our own power. But theres another way.
We dont have to go it alone. Our heavenly Father wants
to help. All we have to do is ask. He has already made His
power available to His children. Whatever we facewherever
we gowhatever dreams we have for our lives, take courage
and know that anything is possible when we draw on the
power of God.
Father, help me to remember that You are always with
me, ready to help me do all things. Amen.
THURSDAY
OCTOBER 10
Comfort Food
For whatever things were written before were written for our
learning, that we through the patience and comfort
of the Scriptures might have hope.
ROMANS 15:4 NKJV
A big mound of ice cream topped with hot fudge; a full
bowl of salty, buttery popcorn; grilled cheese sandwiches
and warm chicken noodle soup fxed by Momcomfort
food. There is nothing like a generous helping of things
that bring the sensation of comfort to a worn body
at the end of a long day or to a bruised mind after a
disappointment. Those comfort foods soothe the body
and mind because, through the senses, they remind us of
happier and more secure times.
Romans 15:4 tells us that the scriptures are comfort
food for the soul. They were written and given so that,
through our learning, we would be comforted with the
truths of God. Worldly pleasures bring a temporary
comfort, but the problem still remains when the pleasure
or comfort fades. However, the words of God are soothing
and provide permanent hope and peace. Through Gods
Word, you will be changed, and your troubles will dim in
the bright light of Christ. So the next time you are sad,
lonely, or disappointed, before you turn to pizza, turn to
the Word of God as your source of comfort.
Thank You, Father, for the rich comfort Your Word
provides. Help me to remember to fnd my comfort
in scripture rather than through earthly things
that will ultimately fail me. Amen.
FRIDAY
OCTOBER 11
The Fruit of te Spirit
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is
no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucifed the fesh with
its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit,
let us also walk by the Spirit.
GALATIANS 5:2225
When we become Christians we receive spiritual gifts as a
result of our inward relationship with Jesus Christ. These gifts
are known in the Bible as the fruit of the Spirit, but what does
that really mean?
Inventoried in todays Scripture are qualities that, apart
from Gods power, would likely not be displayed in our
character.
Take, for instance, joy. How many truly joyful people do
you know? Most of us could probably count them on one
hand. Joy is the inward peace and suffciency that transcends
lifes circumstances.
So, whats the catch? Why is God showering us with these
gifts? Because they prove that He can enter a human life and
affect her or him with change, that others might also be won
to Christ as they observe this miracle.
Lord, my greatest gift from You is salvation, Your grace
enables me to begin life with a fresh start. And with this
transformation of character, fruit becomes the yield,
shared as I serve the body of believers
with my unique spiritual gifts.
SATURDAY
OCTOBER 12
Creating Margin
My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.
EXODUS 33:14 NIV
From the very frst chapter of Genesis, God teaches us
to take rest. He rested on the seventh day of creation
and declared it good. Later, as the Israelites entered the
Promised Land, God ordered the people to give the soil a
rest every seven years.
When we short ourselves on rest, illness can result.
Thats our bodys way of saying Slow down! I cant keep up!
If you wont listen to me, then Im going to force you to.
God believes in rest! But most of us live lives that are
packed to the brim with activities and obligations. Were
overwhelmed. With such a fragile balance, unexpected
occurrences, like a dead car battery, can wreck us
emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
Thats not the lifestyle God wants us to have. He
grants sleep to those he loves, wrote the psalmist (Psalm
127:2 NIV). God wants us to create a margin for the unex-
pected: a neighbor in need, a grandparent who requires
extra attention, a friend who needs encouragement, our
own kids as they grow and mature.
Life is busy. But in Gods presence we fnd rest.
Help me, Father, to listen to Your
instruction and heed Your words.
SUNDAY
OCTOBER 13
Power of te Word
The Spirit gives life; the fesh counts for nothing.
The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
JOHN 6:63 NIV
While waiting for a phone call regarding lab results from a
recent blood test, Lisa meditated on Psalm 56:3 (NIV), When I
am afraid, I will trust in you. When Lisa was a little girl, her
mother taught her to recite it in times of fear: a barking dog as
she rode her bike, a dark room at bedtime, a frst piano re-
cital. Even now, it calmed her to remember how this verse had
helped her conquer those childhood fears. She knew the Spirit
gave life to those same words and stilled her anxiousness.
Jesus told His followers that His words were Spirit and
life. How He works through His Word is a mystery, but He
does. When we hear it, meditate on it, pray it, memorize
it, and ask for faith to believe it, He comes to us in it and
transforms our lives through it. Once the Word is in our mind
or before our eyes and ears, the Holy Spirit can work it into
our hearts and our consciences. Jesus told us to abide in His
Word. Thats our part, putting ourselves in a place to hear and
receive the Word. The rest is the beautiful and mysterious
work of the Spirit.
Thank You, Jesus, the Living Word,
who changes my heart and my mind
through the power of Your Word.
MONDAY
OCTOBER 14
COLUMBUS DAY
Noting to Lose
Saul replied, You are not able to go out against this
Philistine and fght him; you are only a boy,
and he has been a fghting man from his youth.
1 SAMUEL 17:33 NIV
Goliath, a pagan Philistine, defed Israels army and
challenged it to send a single man to fght him to decide
who would rule the land. As the Israelites observed his
giant body and fearsome war equipment, they quaked in
their sandals. How could they win?
Victory lay in the hands of a visionary shepherd,
David, who recognized that the battle was not his, but
Gods. The intrepid shepherd stepped forward to accept
the challenge.
Wiser heads warned the youth of danger. King Saul
counseled against fghting the Philistine warrior, then
tried to deck the shepherd out in his own armor. But
David had a better armorthe Lord God.
Sometimes we clearly hear the call of God to move
ahead into spiritual battle. Others warn us against it,
and their counsel seems wise. But Gods call pulls at our
hearts. Who are we listening to? Are these counselors
godly people or discouraging, worldly wise Sauls, with at
best a tenuous connection to God?
If God is fghting your battle for you, trust in Him,
seek godly counsel, and follow His call implicitly. You
have nothing to lose.
If You lead me, Lord, I cannot lose. Show me
Your path and give me courage. Amen.
TUESDAY
OCTOBER 15
Taking a Real Sabbat
By the seventh day God had fnished the work he had been doing;
so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.
GENESIS 2:23 NIV
One of the Ten Commandments was to honor the Sabbath
and keep it holy. God gives the example we can follow. In
Genesis 2, He rested after His work was done.
What does honoring the Sabbath look like for women
today? Some churches practice a literal Sabbath on Saturday
and others take Sunday as their day of rest. Some Sabbath-
keeping women rest from shopping and cooking, and many
women who have to work on Sunday take another day as their
personal Sabbath.
But too often we let our Sabbath day become as packed
as the other six. We rush to get ready for church, then sing
in the praise team, teach Sunday school, and (whew!) go to a
meeting over lunch. The afternoon is for running errands, and
our evening is spent in a discipleship group.
All those activities are fne in themselves. But when we
overextend ourselves every single day, we run the risk of
burning outand forgetting why God created the Sabbath. He
did it not so we could have another commandment to keep, but
for our own good. Our bodies, minds, and emotions need rest.
The Sabbath gives us a chance to take a breather. As we slow
down our schedule and quiet our hearts, we can more easily
hear from Him.
God, forgive me for taking Your commands too lightly.
Help me to remember the Sabbath
and keep it holy, just as You did.
WEDNESDAY
OCTOBER 16
Chosen Before te Foundation of te World
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has
blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
just as he chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy and blameless before Him.
EPHESIANS 1:34
The doctrine of predestination has baffed Christian
theologians since the time the Bible was written. How can
a woman have free will if God already knows what shell
choose? The fact that God knows the beginning from the
end in no way diminishes our ability to choose.
To state this more simply, when God created the world
He not only planned your place in it, but He also reserved
a place in heaven for you. Now, you can either claim your
ticket by accepting Christs salvation on your behalf, or you
can cancel the reservation by never responding to Gods
offer.
Remember Pauls encounter with that blinding
light? He knew when Christ appeared to him that God
had intervened to change the very course of his life:
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God. . .
(2 Corinthians 1:1). God extended to Paul the truth about
Jesus Christ and he responded in commitment.
Lord, help me and each woman reading this to
enjoy the safety, protection, and sense of belonging
that come from being chosen.
THURSDAY
OCTOBER 17
Lost and Found
And the one who sent me is with mehe has not
deserted me. For I always do what pleases him.
JOHN 8:29 NLT
We lose things on a daily basis. Each year we probably spend
hours looking for thingskeys, sunglasses, lipstick, or even
the saltshaker that normally rests next to the stove. We know
these items dont sprout wings and walk off but have been set
somewhere and forgotten by you or someone you know.
You are Gods most prized possession, and while Hell
never forget where you are, sometimes we walk off from Him.
We lose ourselves in the things we need to do, the places we
need to go, and the people we need to see. Our calendars
fll up with commitments were obligated to keep. We often
commit to too many things and exhaust ourselves trying to
stay ahead of our schedules.
The further we displace ourselves from Godnot
necessarily on purposethe more we become lost in our own
space. While were doing life on our own, we can forget that
He is standing there waiting to do life every day with us. If
you feel distant from Him today, look up. Hes waiting for you
to fnd your rightful place with Him.
God, I never want to become so busy that I lose sight of
You. Show me what things I should commit to and what
things are for someone else to do, so that I am available
to You and ready to serve in the capacity Youve
prepared me for. Amen.
FRIDAY
OCTOBER 18
Pick Your Battes
To these four young men God gave knowledge
and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning.
And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
DANIEL 1:17 NIV
Daniel was one of the frst Hebrew exiles taken from
Jerusalem into friendly captivity (if there is such a
thing) in Babylon. Separated from his family, forced into
servitude, given a new identity and new gods, Daniel was
probably only a teenager! He was now living in Babylon,
the pagan center of the earth.
Did Daniel completely reject his new lifestyle? Did he
argue with his master and refuse to learn? No! Amazingly,
there were only a few areas where Daniel refused to
compromise: he would not bow down and worship any
other god or eat food that had been offered to idols.
We live in a type of Babylon, too. Were surrounded
by anti-God behavior, customs, pop culture. Its easy to be
offended by just about. . .everything. Everyday language
is favored with swear words, television shows mock our
faith, schools introduce curricula that make us cringe.
Surprisingly, God didnt tackle every single issue in
Babylon. He picked Daniels battles for him, and Daniel
was greatly used in the midst of a pagan culture. Not
indignant or antagonistic, but compassionate and seeking
the best for his captors.
Can we be Daniels in our communities today?
Lord, show me how to seek Your wisdom and
discernment while picking my battles.
Help me to love those who oppose You.
SATURDAY
OCTOBER 19
My Helper
So we say with confdence, The Lord is my helper;
I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
HEBREWS 13:6 NIV
Remember when you were a kid and you had a school project
due? The whole thing seemed overwhelming until your father
said, Let me help you with that. He listened to your ideas,
then helped you make the necessary purchases. Finally, the
day arrived to put together your project. Instead of doing the
work for you, your father simply made his presence known
as you workedencouraging you with, Thats great, honey!
and Wow, I can hardly wait to see this when its done! His
words boosted your confdence and spurred you on.
Your heavenly Father is a Thats great, honey kind
of encourager. Talk about building your confdence! When
youre up against a tough situation, Hes standing right there,
speaking positive words over you, telling you youve got
what it takes to be the best you can possibly be. And while
He wont take the reinsHe wants you to learn from the
experience, after allHe will advise you as you go.
What are you facing today? Do you need a helper? God
is the very best. Just knowing Hes there will ease your mind
and invigorate you for the tasks you face.
Father, Im so glad You stand nearby, whispering words
of encouragement. Youre the best helper possible.
Thank You for taking my fears and replacing them
with godly confdence.
SUNDAY
OCTOBER 20
Can God Interrupt You?
In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps.
PROVERBS 16:9 NIV
Before rushing out of the house each morning, we grab
calendars. Our day is effciently planned. We are eager
to check off our to-do list. But wait! The phone suddenly
rings. There is an unexpected knock at the door. The car
tire is fat.
How do we react when our plans are interrupted?
Do frustration, resentment, and anger quickly surface?
We have places to go and people to meet. We do not have
time for interruptions!
Have you ever considered that perhaps God has
ordained our interruptions? A friend could be calling in
need of encouragement. God knew youd be just the right
person to lift her spirits. Maybe the knock on the door is a
lost child seeking help. Perhaps, just perhaps, God may be
trying to get your attention.
There is nothing wrong with planning our day.
However, we have such limited vision. God sees the
big picture. Be open. Be fexible. Allow God to change
your plans in order to accomplish His divine purposes.
Instead of becoming frustrated, look for ways the Lord
might be working. Be willing to join Him. When we do,
interruptions become blessings.
Dear Lord, forgive me when I am so rigidly locked
into my own agenda that I miss Yours. Give me
Your eternal perspective so that I may be open
to divine interruptions. Amen.
MONDAY
OCTOBER 21
The Meaning of True Christian Fellowship
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering
prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your
participation in the gospel from the frst day until now. . .
For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all,
because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment
and in the defense and confrmation of the gospel,
you all are partakers of grace with me.
PHILIPPIANS 1:35, 7
Paul was confned to prison when he wrote his letter to the
Philippians. Yet rather than wallowing in self-pity, we see him
reaching out to those he loves and reminiscing about their
joyful times of fellowship together. The sheer memory of them
causes warmth to invade his lonely prison. And though he
longs to be with them, he is content in the place Christ has
called him.
Pauls joy is not dependent upon circumstances. Rather, it
overfows from the content of his heart, where the true source
of joy resides, Jesus Christ. And because of this indwelling,
Paul senses a oneness with other believers, despite the fact that
they are far from him. It is the love of Christ that binds them
together.
Pauls only aim in life was to be where God wanted him
so that he might spread the Gospel to all who would listen.
And if this aspiration required suffering and isolation on his
part, then Paul gladly paid the price.
Lord, might I pray as Paul, I press on toward the goal
for the prize of the upward call of God
in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).
TUESDAY
OCTOBER 22
Trouble or Trust ?
Dont let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God, and trust also in me.
JOHN 14:1 NLT
Trouble or trust? Which will you choose today? We
women tend to be troubled in our hearts, worrying about
our relationships, our appearance, our fnances, our work,
and perhaps especially about the future.
The disciples were worried about their future as well.
Jesus had told them He would be going away from them.
He was preparing them for His death, resurrection, and
ascension into heaven. They were saddened when they
heard Him say that they could not come with Him at that
time, although they would follow later.
So Christ spoke these words to them in John 14:1,
reminding them to trust in God and to trust in Him. He
told them not to let their hearts be troubled. Sometimes
we feel as if we cant control feeling troubled. But when we
focus on the Lord and meditate upon His promises, we can
gain control of our worries and replace them with trust.
You do not know what your future holds, but God
does. He asks you to stop worrying. He asks you to trust in
Him. He is faithful to provide for His own.
Father, please replace trouble with trust in
this heart of mine that is sometimes lonely
and unsure of the future. Thank You, Lord,
that I can trust in You. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
OCTOBER 23
Marvelous Thunder
Gods voice thunders in marvelous ways;
he does great things beyond our understanding.
JOB 37:5 NIV
Have you ever refected deeply on the power that God is? Not
that He has, but that He is.
The ailing woman who simply touched Jesus garment
was healed. Thats power. Lazarus walked out of the tomb
alive. Thats power. Jesus could walk on water and calm a
storm with His words. Thats power. Only a God who is power
could do such things.
Jobs friend Elihu made some false assumptions about
his suffering companion, but he certainly understood Gods
power. Elihu described God as telling lightning where to
strike (Job 36:32), and generating thunder with His own
voice (Job 37:24). Thats powerfull-blown, mind-boggling,
earthshaking power.
Now, consider this: The One who controls nature also
holds every one of our tears in His hand. He is our Father,
and He works on our behalf. He is more than enough to meet
our needs; He does things far beyond what our human minds
can understand.
This One who is power loves you. He looks at you and
says, I delight in you, My daughter. Wow! His ways are
marvelous and beyond understanding.
Lord God, You are power. You hold all things in Your
hand and You chose to love me. You see my actions,
hear my thoughts, watch my heartbreak. . .
and You still love me. Please help me trust
in Your power, never my own.
THURSDAY
OCTOBER 24
Eye Care
For thus says the LORD of hosts. . .
he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.
ZECHARIAH 2:8 NKJV
The apple of the eye refers to the pupilthe very center,
or heart, of the eye. Consider the lengths we go to in
order to protect our eyes. We wear protective glasses
in some workplaces. We close our eyes or squint in
windstorms or bright light. When dust blows, we turn our
heads or put up our hands to keep the dirt from ending
up in our eyes.
When we do get something in an eye, the ache and
discomfort are instant. Tears form, and we seek to get the
particle out as quickly as possible to stop the pain. If we
are unable to remove the offending bit, we often become
unable to do anything but focus on the discomfort.
To think that we are the apple of Gods eye is
incredible. Consider the care He must take for us. He
will go to great lengths to protect us from harm. When
something or someone does attack us, God feels our pain.
He is instantly aware of our discomfort, for it is His own.
When the storms of life come, we must remember how
God feels each twinge of suffering. Despite the adversity,
we can praise God for He is sheltering us.
Thank You, God, that You are so aware of what is
happening to me. Thank You for
Your protection. Amen.
FRIDAY
OCTOBER 25
Born Again to a Living Hope
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while,
if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,
that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold
which is perishable, even though tested by fre, may be found to
result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 PETER 1:67
Religious fanatics! Jesus freaks! Bible thumpers! These
are just a few of the choice names hurled at those who dare to
share their Christian faith. What degree of persecution are you
willing to endure that the Gospel of truth might go forward to
a needy world?
Remember Nicodemus? He came to Jesus by night, asking
what he might do to be saved. Although he continued to watch
from afar, this encounter with Christ had stirred something
within the heart of Nicodemus. Christs words had caused light
to food into his soul: He who believes in Me, as the Scripture
said, From his innermost being shall fow rivers of living
water (John 7:38). Then came the day when this Pharisee
interceded for Christ.
When the multitude became divided as to Christs true
identity and many wanted to seize Jesus, Nicodemus, who
could no longer remain silent, reminded them that their law
couldnt judge a man without a proper hearing (John 7:51). At
the foot of the cross Nicodemus publicly declared his belief.
Thank You, Jesus, for convicting my soul today.
SATURDAY
OCTOBER 26
Gods Mountain Sanctuary
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain. . .and. . .
his disciples came unto him: and he opened his mouth and taught them.
MATTHEW 5:12 KJV
Melissa felt crushed beneath work, home, and church
responsibilities. So much so, she could no longer give or
listen, let alone hear from God. So she decided to take a
day trip to the mountains to try and unwind.
There the forest hummed with a symphony of sound
as beams of sunlight fltered through the vast timberland.
As she strolled a wooded path, she noticed how Gods
creation kept perfect cadence with its Creator. No one
directed the wildfowers to bloom, no one commanded
the trees to reach upward, and no one forced the creek
to fow downstream. No one but God, and nature simply
complied.
Jesus often retreated to a mountain to pray. There
He called His disciples to depart from the multitudes so
that He could teach them valuable truthsthe lessons
we learn from nature. Dont fret, obey Gods gentle
promptings, and simply fow in the path He clears.
Do you yearn for a place where problems evaporate
like the morning dew? Do you need a place of solace?
God is wherever you arebehind a bedroom door,
nestled alongside you in your favorite chair, or even
standing at a sink full of dirty dishes. Come apart and
enter Gods mountain sanctuary.
Heavenly Father, I long to hear Your voice and to
fow in the path You clear before me. Help me to
fnd sanctuary in Your abiding presence. Amen.
SUNDAY
OCTOBER 27
More Than Enough
Let us not become weary in doing good,
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
GALATIANS 6:9 NIV
How often do we become impatient and give up? We stand
in line at the coffee shop and fnd ourselves behind an
indecisive person. Frustrated, we give upbut before we get
to our car, that personcoffee cup in handwalks past. If
wed only waited another minute, we, too, could be sipping a
steaming caramel latte.
Or maybe we have a dream that we cant seem to make a
realityand rather than trying just one more time, we give
up. A piece of who we are drifts away like a leaf on the sea.
The Word of God encourages us to keep going, to press
on, to fght off weariness and never give up. Jesus Christ has
a harvest for each of us, and He eagerly anticipates blessing
us with itbut we have to trust Him and refuse to give in to
weariness.
We can only imagine what that harvest might be, because
we know that God is the God of immeasurably more than all
we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20 NIV). We can be recipients
of His immeasurably more if we press on in the strength He
provides.
When youre tired, keep goingand remember that, in
His perfect timing, you will reap an unimaginable harvest.
Father, You know that Im tired and weary
in this uphill struggle. Fill me with Your
strength so I can carry on. I long to reap
the harvest You have for me.
MONDAY
OCTOBER 28
A Womans Work
Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children,
if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints feet,
if she have relieved the afficted, if she have diligently
followed every good work.
1 TIMOTHY 5:10 KJV
With so many choices in todays world, whats a woman to do?
Whats she to do with her time and her talents?
Thats a tough question, especially in this me-
centered, career-driven world. Women have so many
opportunities that we can get ourselves quite confused as
we look at all the options.
This confusion persists in our service to God. What
does He want me to do? Wouldnt it be better to be
working with orphans in Zambia than washing dishes in
suburbia?
Who knows?
God does. His Word clearly explains a womans
work. This work includes keeping house, ministering to
the poor, helping those in the church, and practicing
hospitality. A widow who was worthy of church support
had to have done all these things.
Such work is not very glamorous. Its not worthy of
headlines or large paychecks. It is disdained by the world
and even by some in the church.
But this is the humble work God honors, the work
that will one day be praised.
Dear Lord, Your Word is so clear on what You
expect of me. How can I miss it? And why do I so
easily reject it? Teach me contentment in my calling
as a woman, knowing that You will reward the
humble labor of homemaking. Amen.
TUESDAY
OCTOBER 29
A Fragrant Offering
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children
and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself
up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifce to God.
EPHESIANS 5:12 NIV
Have you ever walked into a place that smelled beautiful?
Scented candles, potpourri, or fresh cookies in the oven can
be very inviting, drawing us in and making us want to stay for
a while.
In a similar way, if we carry the scent of Christ in our
daily walk, people will be drawn to us and want to stay for
a while. But how do we give off that amazing, inviting fra-
grance?
Theres really only one wayby imitating God. By pattern-
ing our actions after His. By loving others fully. By seeing them
through His eyes. By looking with great compassion on those
who are hurting, as Jesus did when He went about healing the
sick and pouring out His life for those in need.
As we live a life of love in front of those we care for, we
exude the sweetest fragrance of allChrist. Thats one aroma
that cant be bottled!
Dear Lord, I long to live a life that points people to
You. As I care for those in need, may the sweet-smelling
aroma of You and Your love be an invitation
for people to draw near.
WEDNESDAY
OCTOBER 30
Halloween, Day of Evil or Innocent Fun?
Therefore, let us fear lest, while a promise remains of
entering His rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it.
For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also;
but the word they heard did not proft them, because it was
not united by faith in those who heard.
HEBREWS 4:12
Halloween is here again. Time for Christians to espouse
their polarized viewpoints concerning this mysterious and/
or magical time of year. Halloween isnt just about dressing
up and collecting candy. Today its become an issue that
each Christian must address.
Realizing that a childs objective is not to indulge in
the occult but instead to have fun, Christian writers are
exercising their creativity. To go along with the harvest
festival idea, already fostered by many churches, is a
drama book by Louis Merryman entitled Halloween
Alternatives, containing ideas for reaching young minds
with the Gospel. A book by Liz Curtis Higgs, The Pumpkin
Patch Parable, relates how God plants the seed of belief in
our hearts.
Todays Scripture is about entering into Gods rest,
something which those who do not choose Him will never
experience.
Dear God, I know You have kept Your part of the
bargain, in obtaining salvation for me through
Christs death on the cross. Whether I respond to
this salvation or not is up to me.
THURSDAY
OCTOBER 31
HALLOWEEN
Godly Beauty
Like a gold ring in a pigs snout is a beautiful
woman who shows no discretion.
PROVERBS 11:22 NIV
Todays society has redefned beauty, and it certainly does
not include discretion. There is nothing discreet about the
advertisements for sexy lingerie we see in magazines and even
on television during prime time.
Some of the most attractive female stars fail to use dis-
cretion in their choices regarding their apparel, child-rearing,
materialism, drugs, and relationships with men. Yet these
women are teenage girls role models. What happened to
pretty is as pretty does? What happened to modesty?
We are called to honor the Lord by demonstrating
discretion. In doing so, we also guard our hearts. The Bible
calls the heart the wellspring of life. It is diffcult to live
a pure life for Jesus while lacking modesty in choices of
clothing, language, and lifestyle.
A gold ring is a thing of beauty, but in a pigs snout, it
quickly loses its appeal! A beautiful woman without discretion
may attract a crowd, but not the right one. She may appeal
to a man, but not a godly one. She will receive attention, but
sadly it will come in the form of shock, rather than respect.
As a single Christian woman, no matter your shape or
size, your height or hair color, you are beautiful. Beauty is in
the heart frst. It shines forth through attitudes and actions
that honor God. This is true beauty.
Lord, when I am tempted to use beauty to attract the
world to my body, remind me that a godly woman uses
modesty to point the world to You. Amen.
FRIDAY,
NOVEMBER 1
Quiet Hope
Its a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God.
LAMENTATIONS 3:26 MSG
Hope is essential to life. Without it, life has no meaning,
no purpose.
How much truer that is in our spiritual lives. The
hope of eternal life in heaven grows more powerful the
longer we live in our earthly bodies. Hope keeps us going
in the midst of trouble and heartache. It allows us to live
in expectation of life with no pain, no sorrow, no trouble
of any kind to mar our eternal existence.
Jeremiah is often called the weeping prophet. Yet
even in his lament over Judahs sin and turning away
from God, he wrote these words: Its a good thing to
quietly hope. . .for help from God. Dwelling on the
confusion and chaos of his day only added to Jeremiahs
distress. The prophet knew that keeping his focus on
the Lord was essential to seeing the hope of his peoples
salvation that God had promised.
God calls us to cease striving (Psalm 46:10), so that
we can know Him and understand the hope of His calling
(Ephesians 1:18). He wants us to quietly hope and wait on
Gods promises for strength (Isaiah 40:31), for endurance (1
Corinthians 10:13), for peace (Romans 15:13), for salvation
(1 Thessalonians 5:8), for eternal life in heaven (Titus 1:2)
for others as well as for ourselves.
Lord, help me to be quiet before You today no
matter what is going on around me. I look
to the hope I have in Christ Jesus for all I
need to do Your will today.
SATURDAY
NOVEMBER 2
Being of One Mind
Do nothing from selfshness or empty conceit, but with humility
of mind let each of you regard one another as more important
than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests,
but also for the interests of others.
PHILIPPIANS 2:34
While vacationing in the Midwest this past fall, my husband and
I toured several Amish communities. How well these people
live out the teaching of todays Scripture on unity. Forsaking
the modern world that surrounds them, with a deep sense of
community, the Amish labor together for the good of all.
As Christians we are called to encourage one another in
the faith. Paul, who spent so much of his own life in prison,
had a deep understanding of the need for the reassurance
and hope which the Lord richly supplied. This reliance on
Gods abundant source of blessings overfowed from his heart,
spilling out to his fellow Christians.
What if we used the greeting time in church, during the
worship service, to fnd out the specifc needs within the body
of Christ? Many of our brothers and sisters are wounded, both
physically and spiritually. Yet they come to Sunday services
with a deceptive smile on their faces, their return trip home as
lonely as the rest of their week will probably be. Do you care?
Who is my source of strength?
Lord, help me encourage others.
SUNDAY
NOVEMBER 3
Masterpiece
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mothers womb.
PSALM 139:13 NLT
At the moment of your conception, roughly three million
decisions were made about you. Everything from your
eye color and the number of your wisdom teeth, to the
shape of your nose and the swirl of your fngerprints was
determined in the blink of an eye.
Now consider that there are approximately six billion
human beings alive on this planet today, and each of them
was as individually crafted as you. If that thought isnt
staggering enough, think about this: Its estimated that as
many as 100 billion people have walked the earth at one
time or anotherand each of them was uniquely made.
Wow. How can we even begin to fathom the God who is
responsible for all that?
He is a big God. Unfathomable. Incomparable.
Frankly, words just dont do Him justice. And He made
you. You were knit together by a one-of-a-kind, amazing
God who is absolutely, undeniably, head-over-heels crazy-
in-love with you. Try to wrap your brain around that.
Heavenly Father and Creator, thank You for
the amazing gift of life, for my uniqueness and
individuality. Help me to use my life as a gift of
praise to You. Amen.
MONDAY
NOVEMBER 4
Finding Real Rest
And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove!
for then would I fy away, and be at rest.
PSALM 55:6 KJV
There are days. . .
. . .when the family gets sick and the dog disappears,
. . .when the phone doesnt stop ringing,
. . .when your favorite sweater ends up in the dryer,
. . .when your boss takes his frustration out on you,
. . .when you think things cant get any worse, but they do.
There are days.
On such days, its tempting to wish for an easy way out. If
only you could get away from phones and responsibilities and
people who want more of you than you have to give.
If only you could fy away! Then you could be at rest.
Really?
It takes more than a quiet place or a time away to bring
true rest. Often, even if we go away from the noise and
demands of family, we fnd ourselves thinking of the very ones
we wanted to leave. Instead of being at peace, were full of
guilt and regret.
Instead of fying away, we must jump into Gods
everlasting arms and dive into His Word. Rest is found in
knowing Christ and understanding that through His sacrifce,
we are at peace.
As we allow Gods peace to fll us, we will fnd real rest.
Father God, there are many days when I dont have
time to sit. And too often my house is Crisis Central.
In all these times, remind me that peace comes from
knowing You and resting in the work
You have done. Amen.
TUESDAY
NOVEMBER 5
ELECTION DAY
Finding Confidence in Christ
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confdence, so that we
may receive mercy and fnd grace to help us in our time of need.
HEBREWS 4:16 NIV
Celebrities have it. So do CEOs, professional athletes,
and musicians. No, not moneyconfdence. So how
can we modern women cultivate confdence in a world
that rewards thinness, talent, and tabloid-readiness over
character and virtue?
First, we can take our eyes off the world and focus
them on God. The world says that you have to be
beautiful and successful to be worthybut God says we
are worthy because He created us and He loves us. The
world makes a big deal out of scandals and bad news.
God has given us the good news of Jesus Christ through
the scandal of the cross.
Second, we can resolve to put our confdence in
Christ, because He is trustworthy. His Word says all the
promises of God are yes in Christ Jesus. He will never
leave or forsake us, and since He lives in our hearts, He
will give us the peace and contentment we need to follow
Him. We can take our requests to God, knowing that He
hears us and approves them because of Jesus Christ.
What freedom there is in that!
So when you wonder why in the world God placed
you here, remember: We can approach His throne with
confdence, fnding all well ever need to liveand thrive.
Lord, help me to remember that Your arms are
open wide, and I need only to walk into them.
WEDNESDAY
NOVEMBER 6
How About Some Fun?
A twinkle in the eye means joy in the heart,
and good news makes you feel ft as a fddle.
PROVERBS 15:30 MSG
Have you had any fun this week?
This query, in and of itself, might sound odd, but two
friends agreed to ask each other this question periodically
because both had the tendency to plow through an entire
week of school, work, church, and community commitments
forgettingor neglectingto plan an activity or two for the
sole purpose of recharging their own burnt-out batteries.
Both women realized they would have to make an effort to
carve out time for activities that brought them joy. For one, it
was kayaking and hiking; for the other, it was settling into her
favorite reading chair with a mystery novel.
God does not want His kids to be worn out and stressed
out. He did not design us to be like little Energizer Bunnies
that keep on going and going and going. We need time to
recreateto revive and refresh our bodies and minds. A little
relaxation, recreationand yesfun are essential components
of a balanced life. Even Jesus and His disciples found it
necessary to get away from the crowds and pressures of
ministry to rest.
Theres a lot of fun to be had out thereplaying tennis or
golf, jogging, swimming, painting, knitting, playing a musical
instrument, visiting an art gallery, playing a board game, or
going to a movie, a play, or a football game. Have you had any
fun this week?
Lord, You are the One who gives balance to my life.
Help me to fnd time today for a little relaxation,
recreation, and even fun. Amen.
THURSDAY
NOVEMBER 7
Babes in Christ

Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy
and envy and all slander, like newborn babes, long for the pure
milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,
if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.
1 PETER 2:13
When you have a new baby, youre starting with a clean
slate. And although babies have inherited Adams bent
toward sinning, they havent as yet exercised this family
affiction.
If we grow physically but ignore our spiritual needs,
the potential for becoming a well-rounded human being
is severely diminished, if not permanently stunted. This is
the issue that Peter addresses in this passage.
As mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, and aunts,
we have a God-ordained call to teach children the Word
of God that they might someday enter the kingdom of
God. Jesus said: Whoever causes one of these little ones
who believe in Me to stumble, it is better for him that a
heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be
drowned in the depth of the sea (Matthew 18:6).
Thats pretty strong language. But look at the stakes!
A childs whole life can be altered by someone who turns
them away purposely from the truth of Jesus Christ.
Lord, lead me to spiritual growth, as I read
every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God
(Matthew 4:4).
FRIDAY
NOVEMBER 8
Inside Out
Dont you understand either? he asked.
Cant you see that the food you put into your body cannot defle you?
. . . It is what comes from inside that defles you.
MARK 7:18, 20 NLT
People have generally focused on keeping the outside clean.
The Jews of Jesus day made sure they washed the same hand
frst each time. In keeping with the law, they refused to eat
certain foods, declaring them unclean.
We act in much the same way today. Some foods turn our
stomach and become unclean to us. Americans consider
daily baths the norm.
If only we exercised the same care in keeping our minds
clean. Jesus listed some of the unclean things that fow
from our minds: lust, pride, envy, and slander, among others.
Unfortunately, once we have allowed images or thoughts into
our minds, we cant scrub them away the way soap washes
away dirt.
Safeguarding our thought-life starts with what we allow
into our minds. As much as possible, we should see no evil
and hear no evil. Music, television, movies, books, even our
friendships must be fltered.
We cant erase bad thoughts from our minds, but we can
crowd them outby flling our minds with noble, lovely, and
true thoughts. How can a [single mom] stay pure? By obeying
your word (Psalm 119:9 NLT).
The blood of Christ cleanses us and the Bible helps to
keep us clean.
Lord, search my thoughts, and show me my impurities.
Fill me with Your Word.
SATURDAY
NOVEMBER 9
Pace Your Race
Let us strip off every weight that slows us down,
especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run
with endurance the race God has set before us.
HEBREWS 12:1 NLT
Nervously, the young woman approached the starting
line. It was her frst footrace since she began jogging a
few months before. At the sound of the gun, she bolted
forward in stride with the advanced runners. And then
it hit: exhaustion. Shuffing and gasping for breath, she
realized she had not paced herself.
The apostle Paul likened our spiritual journey to an
endurance run. The race begins with faith in Christ. As
we allow God to lift the weight of sin, we become swifter
and more effcient with each step.
Often, though, we fght to stay ahead of those who
appear more spiritually mature than we are. Meanwhile,
God desires to train us at a pace developed exclusively
for us.
Those who train at their own level of ability and
maintain realistic expectations are the true winners. The
key to fnishing the course takes a balance of patience,
perseverance, and an unfaltering dependence on our
heavenly trainer. God promises an eternal prize for those
who persevere, at their own pace, to the end.
So run the race at your own pace!
Heavenly Father, help me to run this spiritual race
balanced with patience, perseverance, and faith.
I rely on You to strengthen me on the road of life
toward my heavenly reward. Amen.
SUNDAY
NOVEMBER 10
Desires
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
PSALM 145:1516 NIV
Anita pulled into her driveway to be greeted by her two
dogs, standing side by side and staring into the drivers side
window. The young black mutts tail frantically wagging and
the old yellow Labs slower wag showed their excitement
for their mistress. When Anita stepped out of the car, the
two pets knew that within minutes food would be in their
bowls.
The dogs eager and trusting faces made Anita consider
her own trust in God. He made every creature. He designed
their appetites and their tastes. He provides in the earth all
that is needed for their fulfllment. Will He not satisfy them?
We can give to God every desire of our heart, every
longing, and every appetite. He can satisfy them. Prayer is
the link. Start by telling Him what you long for and what you
desire. As you commune with Him, you will fnd your desires
are either fulflled or they begin to change to the blessings He
wants to give you.
Lord, help me to be open and honest before You with all
my yearnings. Enable me to trust You to fulfll or change
the desires of my heart.
MONDAY
NOVEMBER 11
VETERANS DAY
Stand Firm and Receive te Crown
Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown,
so stand frm in the Lord, my beloved. I urge Euodia and I urge
Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord.
PHILIPPIANS 4:12
Church committee meetings can either be a blessing or
a bear, depending, of course, upon whether the members
are working together for a common goal. Evidently, two of
the church women at Philippi, Euodia and Syntyche, were
less than harmonious. Therefore, Paul admonished them.
It is signifcant that Paul took the time to address this
issue. Left unchecked, such arguing would wreak havoc
in the church. Perhaps you have encountered someone
who, although she professes belief in Christ, has treated
you without charity or love. Fast, pray for guidance, and
then go to her and pray again. Failure to do so gives Satan
an opportunity to get a foothold within the church, as the
argument escalates and people choose sides.
Speaking like a proud father, Paul refers to these
believers at Philippi as his joy and crown. He brought
the Gospel message to them. And then he stood back to
watch them grow in their faith. He doesnt want it all to
turn to ashes.
Lord, help me to remember that You surrendered
all Your rights that I might know true freedom.
Please show me how to persevere, make amends,
and live in harmony.
TUESDAY
NOVEMBER 12
Stand in te Gap
I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall
and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so
I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.
EZEKIEL 22:30 NIV
Each prayer request you offer up to God is important to you,
and when you ask others to pray, youre counting on them to
help carry you through the tough times.
Do you give the same consideration to those who ask
you for prayer? Its easy in the busyness of life to overlook a
request someone else has made. Maybe you dont know the
person very well or you dont really have an understanding
of what he or she is going through. Perhaps the request came
in an e-mail that you quickly glanced at and then deleted. Yet
even with e-mailed prayer requests, others trust you to stand
in the gap for them during diffcult times in their lives.
Dont delay. Take time right when you receive a request to
talk to the Lord on the requesters behalf. Be the bridge that
carries that person through the valley of darkness back to the
mountaintop of joy.
Heavenly Father, help me to have a heart of compassion
for those I know and even for those I dont know who
need Your comfort and love. Help me never to be too
busy to pray for them. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
NOVEMBER 13
The Lesson of te Luggage
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may
be food in My house, and test Me now in this, says the LORD of hosts,
if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour
out for you a blessing until it overfows.
MALACHI 3:10 NASB
Even though fnances would be tight, Sharon fnally
decided to give her tithe to the church, beginning the frst
of the month. A few days preceding the frst, she visited
the mall and noticed a set of luggage at 25 percent off.
The luggage was perfect for her business trips. The price
was exactly the amount that she would be tithing. Perhaps
I can wait one more month.
She picked up the luggage and carried it to the ca-
shier. As Sharon waited in line, she envisioned herself at
the airport looking savvy. Finally, no more embarrassment
with tattered luggage. However, as the line shortened,
she remembered her promise. With a pang of guilt, she
stepped out of line and returned the luggage to the shelf.
On Sunday Sharon placed her tithe in the offering
plate. It felt good to be obedient to the Lord. Neverthe-
less, she still dreaded using her old luggage on business
trips.
Driving home Sharon spotted a garage sale. Out of
curiosity, she pulled over. She couldnt believe her eyes.
There was a set of luggage almost identical to what she
had seen at the mall.
How much are you asking for that luggage? she
queried.
For you, fve dollars, came the reply.
Lord, help me to faithfully tithe and never to
doubt Your abundant provision. Amen.
THURSDAY
NOVEMBER 14
Ladies in Waiting
I will wait for the LORD. . . . I will put my trust in him.
ISAIAH 8:17 NIV
Modern humans arent good at waiting. In our fast-paced
society, if you cant keep up, youd better get out of the way.
We have fast food, speed dialing, and jam-packed schedules
that are impossible to keep. Instant gratifcation is the name
of the gameand that attitude can creep into our lives as
Christians.
The Lord Jesus Christ doesnt care about instant
gratifcation. Our right-now attitudes dont move Him. Maybe
He fnds the saying, Give me patience, Lord, right now,
humorousbut He rarely answers that particular prayer.
Do we want joy without accepting heartache? Peace
without living through the stress? Patience without facing
demands? God sees things differently. Hes giving us the
opportunity to learn through these delays, irritations, and
struggles. What a wise God He is!
Like Isaiah, we need to learn the art of waiting on God.
He will come through every timebut in His time, not ours.
The wait may be hours or days, or it could be years. But God
is always faithful to provide for us. It is when we learn to wait
on Him that we will fnd joy, peace, and patience through the
struggle.
Father, You know what I need, so I will wait.
Help me be patient, knowing that You
control my situation and that all good
things come in Your time.
FRIDAY
NOVEMBER 15
Gods Precious Promises
His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and
godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His
own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His
precious and magnifcent promises, in order that by them you might
become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the
corruption that is in the world by lust.
2 PETER 1:35
From the moment a baby is conceived it has everything it
needs to grow into a complete human being, everything
except time. For time acts as a refner. Our spiritual growth
is the same. From the moment we accept Christ, He
infuses His Spirit within us, giving us right standing with
the Father and making us a child of God. He made Him
who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might
become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians
5:21). As we walk in step with Him, learning His ways, we
will eventually refect these changes in our character.
Peter reminds us that Jesus Christ is the Savior.
Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make
certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as
you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in
this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to
you (2 Peter 1:1011).
God, You promised me a Savior
and You sent Jesus. Hallelujah!
SATURDAY
NOVEMBER 16
A Godly Guest List
But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame,
the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you,
you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.
LUKE 14:1314 NIV
You may not host banquets, but what about barbeques?
Dinner parties? Pizza and movie nights? Now were talking.
It is tempting to carefully select a few people to invite to
a dinner party. You know the routinea close girlfriend, a guy
she thinks is attractive, a guy you are interested in, and then a
couple of fllers just so that the plot is not obvious.
The Bible admonishes us to get more creative with our
guest lists. You may read the words crippled and lame and
think they sound like old-fashioned Bible words. In actuality,
there are those all around us with physical limitations. Their
eyes, ears, or legs that dont work properly do not make them
any different on the inside.
Expanding our guest lists requires us to consider others,
not just ourselves. Reaching out to someone who looks or
seems a bit different from you will feel good. Likely you will
notice that you have more in common than youd imagined.
There is certainly reward in heaven for believers who demon-
strate this type of kindness. The reward on earth is sweet as
well. It may provide you with an unexpected new friend.
Father, remind me to reach out to others and
to be a friend to all types of people. Amen.
SUNDAY
NOVEMBER 17
When I Think of te Heavens
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fngers, the moon
and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man, that you
are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?
PSALM 8:34 NIV
Do you ever spend time thinking about the vastness of
God? His greatness? His majesty? When you ponder
His creationthe heavens, the moon, and the starsdo
you feel tiny in comparison? Do you wonder how, in the
midst of such greatness, He even remembers your name,
let alone the details of your life or the problems you go
through?
Daughter of God, you are important to your heavenly
Father, more important than the sun, the moon, and the
stars. You are created in the image of God, and He cares
for you. In fact, He cares so much that He sent His Son,
Jesus, to offer His life as a sacrifce for your sins.
The next time you look up at the heavens, the next
time you ooh and aah over a majestic mountain or
emerald waves crashing against the shoreline, remember
that those things, in all of their splendor, dont even come
close to youGods greatest creation.
Oh Father, when I look at everything You have
created, Im so overwhelmed with who You are.
Who am I that You would think twice about me?
And yet You do. You love me, and for that Im
eternally grateful!
MONDAY
NOVEMBER 18
Sharpening Friendships
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth
the countenance of his friend.
PROVERBS 27:17 KJV
One of the frst casualties of a busy life is friendship.
Often we dont even realize it is missing, because the
more activities we have, the more people surround us. Yet
because we are in a hurry, we dont form real friendships with
most of these people.
We all have a need for close friendships. We need others
in our lives who will challenge us to make us sharper, bolder,
gentler, and more Christlike.
For married women, husbands provide much of this
needed intimacy. But no man can meet every need for female
interpersonal communication; women need women.
Some may think that a sharpening friendship is
characterized by leisurely conversation and prayer over a
cup of tea. And sometimes this does happen. But the greater
honing comes when abrasives are applied. Days spent helping
a needy friend or nights spent beside the bed of a dying one
develop patience, strength, and courage.
Friendships like these take time. Its benefcial for our
health and countenanceand those of our friendsto make
that time.
Dear Jesus, I know You are a friend who sticks closer
than a sister, yet sometimes I need the comfort of friends
I can see and touch. Help me
to say no to extra activities so I have time to
invest in friends. Amen.
TUESDAY
NOVEMBER 19
Hold to Gods Trut, Not to Visions
You have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ,
who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in
glory. Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to
immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to
idolatry. For it is on account of these things that the wrath of God will
come, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.
COLOSSIANS 3:37
Some Christian testimonies really stir your heart. Some
are from individuals who have turned from lives of
debauchery and waste to become true seekers of God.
Our churches are comprised of redeemed sinners.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of
God, being justifed as a gift by His grace through the
redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed
publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith
(Romans 3:2325).
Pauls message is that Christ in us should cause a
change in our lives. For we have been delivered from
the wrath of God. This metamorphosis should make a
visible difference in how we are living our lives. For Christ
has set up residence within us.
There cannot be any detours or distractions from
the truth. Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize
by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the
angels (Colossians 2:18).
Let me be cautious of bypassing the
Word of God and the Spirit of God to
substitute visions of angels for the Gospel.
WEDNESDAY
NOVEMBER 20
Perfect Prayers
Pray, therefore, like this: Our Father. . .
Out of the depths have I cried to You, O Lord.
MATTHEW 6:9 AMP; PSALM 130:1 AMP
How many messages have you heard on prayer? Have you ever
come away thinking, Did you hear how eloquently they prayed?
How spiritual they sounded? No wonder God answers their prayers!
Sometimes we take the straightforward and
uncomplicated idea of prayerthe simple give-and-take of
talking with Godand turn it into something hard. How
many times have we made it a mere religious exercise,
performed best by the holy elite, rather than what it really
isconversation with God our Father.
Just pour out your heart to God. Share how your day
went. Tell Him your dreams. Ask Him to search you and reveal
areas of compromise. Thank Him for your lunch. Plead for
your family and friends wellbeing. Complain about your
car. . . . Just talk with Him. Dont worry how impressive (or
unimpressive!) you sound.
Talk with God while doing dishes, driving the car, folding
laundry, eating lunch, or kneeling by your bed. Whenever,
wherever, whatevertell Him. He cares!
Dont allow this day to slip away without talking to your
Father. No perfection required.
Father God, what a privilege it is to unburden
my heart to You. Teach me the beauty and simplicity of
simply sharing my day with You.
THURSDAY
NOVEMBER 21
The Dream-Maker
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him.
Dreams, goals, and expectations are part of our daily lives.
We have an idea of what we want and how were going to
achieve it. Disappointment can raise its ugly head when
what we wantedwhat we expecteddoesnt happen
like we thought it should or doesnt happen as fast as we
planned.
Disappointment can lead to doubt. Perhaps questions
tempt you to doubt the direction you felt God urging you
to pursue. Dont quit! Dont give up! Press on with your
dream. Failure isnt failure until you quit. When it looks
like its over, stand strong. With Gods assistance, there
is another way, a higher plan, or a better time to achieve
your dream.
God knows the dreams He has placed inside of you.
He created you and knows what you can doeven better
than you know yourself. Maintain your focusnot on the
dream but on the Dream Makerand together you will
achieve your dream.
God, thank You for putting dreams in my heart.
I refuse to quit. Im looking to You to show me
how to reach my dreams. Amen.
FRIDAY
NOVEMBER 22
Etnic Barriers
There is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised
and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman,
but Christ is all, and in all. And so, as those who have been chosen
of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness and patience; bearing with one another;
just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
COLOSSIANS 3:1113
To say we love Christ and yet maintain deeply rooted
prejudices against others is inconsistent with everything He
taught. For Christ came to reconcile all peoples to Himself,
not separate us into factions.
Above all, God wants us to be harmonious in worship of
Him and also in working with Him. Now may the God who
gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of
the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus;
that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore, accept one
another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God
(Romans 15:57).
Lord, let the true peace of Christmas, which is Christ,
be found in my heart as I am obedient to Your
command to love one another, just as You
have loved me (John 13:34).
SATURDAY
NOVEMBER 23
A Heavenly Party
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing
in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine
righteous persons who do not need to repent.
LUKE 15:7 NIV
God is a major party animal. Want proof? He throws the
biggest bash in all of creation every time a baby Christian
is born into His family. Cant you just imagine it? Angels
and saints join together at the foot of the throne in sheer
praise and celebration over one more soul saved for all
eternity!
The Father threw your very own party on the
moment you accepted His Son as your Savior. Did you
experience a taste of that party from the response of your
spiritual mentors here on earth? As Christians, we should
celebrate with our new brothers and sisters in Christ
every chance we get.
If you havent yet taken that step in your faith, dont
wait! Heavens party planners are eager to get your
celebration started.
Father, I am so grateful that You rejoice in new
Christians. Strengthen my desire to reach the
lost while I am here on earth. Then, when I
reach heaven, the heavenly parties will
be all the sweeter! Amen.
SUNDAY
NOVEMBER 24
Thin Entering Wedge
Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him
with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil,
and they walk only in his paths.
PSALM 119:23 NLT
It started out small. Every few months or so, Kara would
go to the library and check out a couple romance novels.
Occasionally a chapter would contain a steamy love scene,
and she would just skip over those pages. One afternoon she
read one in its entirety and was surprised at how much she
enjoyed it. She began stopping by the library more often, and
soon she was reading several novels a week. Shed long since
stopped skimming through the steamy scenes. The steamier
the better. She would often stay up all night on the weekends
to fnish her latest reads.
One Sunday morning Kara woke up late again and was
shocked when she realized that it had been two or three
months since shed been to church, and even longer since
shed picked up a Bible. It happened so gradually. . .she
couldnt believe this was where she was.
Most people dont set out to become addicted to romance
novels, rack up thousands in credit card debt, or get caught
in a cycle of unfulflling relationships. These things generally
happen graduallyoften with one compromise at a time.
This is why we must continually be on guard against making
small compromises. Many small compromises can lead to
devastation. Be on guard and live wisely.
Father, help me to stay connected to You regularly. Help
me to stay on the wise path and to guard myself against
compromise. Amen.
MONDAY
NOVEMBER 25
Choosing Wisely
Our mouths were flled with laughter.
PSALM 126:2 NIV
Amanda stared glumly at the rock-hard turkey parked
on the kitchen counter. Shed miscalculated defrosting
time; it was now Thanksgiving morning, and the entre of
honor was still obstinately ossifed.
The twenty-two-pound bird was too large for the
micro-wave, so she tried the blow dryer. Warm air only
defected into her face from the turkeys impenetrable
skin. Dunking the bird in a warm bathtub merely
cooled the water down, leaving dinners main course as
nonpliable as a cement block.
In a rush of frantic desperation, Amanda grabbed the
tool-box from the garage and whacked the turkey with a
hammer. It only jarred her budding headache into full bloom.
Dinner was at noon. Guests would soon be arriving.
What to do?
We women often plan perfect family events, only to
fnd out how imperfectly things can turn out. The souff
falls, the cat leaps onto the counter and licks the cheese
ball, little Johnny drops Aunt Marthas crystal gravy dish
(full of gravy, of course). Our reactions to these surprise
glitches can make or break the event for everyone present.
Moms foul mood sucks the joy from the room.
The Bible says that Sarah laughed at the most
unexpected, traumatic time of her lifewhen God
announced that she would have a baby at the age of
ninety (Genesis 18:12). At this unforeseen turn of events,
she could either laugh, cry, or run away screaming.
She chose to laugh.
Lord, give us an extra dollop of grace and peace to
laugh about unexpected dilemmas that pop up. And
to remember that our reaction is a choice. Amen.
TUESDAY
NOVEMBER 26
The Fater Has Bestowed a Great Love
See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be
called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not
know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we
are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be.
We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because
we shall see Him just as He is. And every one who has this hope
fxed on Him purifes himself, just as He is pure.
1 JOHN 3:13
Have you ever looked into the mirror and thought, I wish I had
a new body? Well, Christ has one reserved for you in heaven.
This body is imperishable, undefled, and will not fade away (1
Peter 1:34).
While we dont know when Jesus is coming again, we
do know that our new bodies will coincide with this event.
When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will
be revealed with Him in glory (Colossians 3:4).
Yet the gift of our new bodies is only one aspect of the
Fathers incredible love for His children. His love prompts His
children to purify themselves just as He is pure (1 John 3:3).
They also abide in Him and practice righteousness (1 John
3:67), for they have been born of God (1 John 3:9; John 3:7).
Lord, as I prepare to celebrate Your birth,
the greatest gift I can lay beside the manger
is an act of my will that makes me Your child.
Yes, I have been born again.
WEDNESDAY
NOVEMBER 27
Available 24/7
I call on you, O God, for you will answer me;
give ear to me and hear my prayer.
PSALM 17:6 NIV
No one is available to take your call at this time, so leave a
message and we will return your callor notif we feel
like it. . .and only between the hours of 4:00 and 4:30 p.m.
Thank you for calling. Have a super day!
Weve all felt the frustration of that black hole called
voice mail. It is rare to reach a real, honest-to-goodness,
breathing human being the frst time we dial a telephone
number.
Fortunately, our God is always available. He can be
reached at any hour of the day or night and every day of
the yearincluding weekends and holidays! When we
pray, we dont have to worry about disconnections, hang-
ups, or poor reception. We will never be put on hold or
our prayers diverted to another department. The Bible
assures us that God is eager to hear our petitions and that
He welcomes our prayers of thanksgiving. The psalmist
David wrote of Gods response to those who put their
trust in Him: He will call upon me, and I will answer
him (Psalm 91:15 NIV). David had great confdence that
God would hear his prayers. And we can, too!
Dear Lord, thank You for always being there
for me. Whether I am on a mountaintop and just
want to praise Your name or I am in need of Your
comfort and encouragement, I can
count on You. Amen.
THURSDAY
NOVEMBER 28
THANKSGIVING DAY
Amnon and Tamar
And Tamar lived in her brother Absaloms house, a desolate woman.
2 SAMUEL 13:20 NIV
Second Samuel 13 tells the tragic story of Amnon and Tamar.
Amnon, one of King Davids sons, raped his half sister,
Tamar. Verse 18 says that Tamar dressed appropriately as a
virgin daughter of the king. But after she was raped, Tamar
exchanged her beautiful robe for the ashes of mourning.
Absalom, Tamars other brother, was kind to her and took
her into his home. Although she lived with him, scripture
says that Absalom never said a word about her pain. The
last time we read of Tamar is in 2 Samuel 13:20, And Tamar
lived in her brother Absaloms house, a desolate woman.
Unfortunately, because of the culture of the time, Tamar
would no longer be considered marriageable. The stigma of
rape would remain with her, and this one event would shape
the rest of Tamars life.
Many women today also have been victimized. After
experiencing pain and victimization, they, like Tamar, live
desolate lives, allowing the experience to defne them and
determine their future. This does not have to be. Unlike
Tamar, women today have choices.
No matter how dark your circumstances, God can redeem
them. He can weave your pain into the tapestry of your
life and provide hope, help, and healing. You can begin by
speaking of the pain, then refusing to carry it. Open your
heart to God today and receive the gift of healing.
Father, thank You for offering me hope and healing.
Help me to let go of the pain of my past so that it does
not defne me. Redeem it for Your glory. Amen.
FRIDAY
NOVEMBER 29
Treasure Vault
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
LUKE 12:34 NIV
Where is your greatest treasure? Do you own something
so valuable it sits in a safe-deposit box in your bank?
Maybe you take it out once in a while then return it for
safekeeping.
If thats really your lifes greatest treasure, youre in
trouble, for according to this verse, your heart is locked up
in a narrow, dark safe-deposit box, where its awfully diffcult
to love others and enjoy the world God has given you.
Maybe you dont own that kind of valuable, but youre
inordinately proud of the vehicle you drive. Would you
really want your heart to sit out in all weather, where it
could eventually rust away? Even the best care will never
make a car last forever. Hide it in a garage, but it still has a
limited life.
But when your best treasure is your relationship with
Christ and His eternal reward, you dont have to worry
about where your heart is. Its safe with Jesus, free to love
others, and valuable to both you and the people with
whom you share Christ.
Are you gathering earthly treasures or eternal ones?
Those on earth wont last. Sending treasures before you
to heaven is the wisest thing you can do. Worldly goods
fade, but not those in Jesus treasure vaults.
Lord, help me send treasures ahead of me into
eternity instead of grabbing all the earthly
items I can get. Amen.
SATURDAY
NOVEMBER 30
Christmas Joy
And we have seen and bear witness and proclaim to you the eternal life,
which was with the Father and was manifested to us
what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, that you also may
have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father,
and with His Son Jesus Christ.
1 JOHN 1:23
The countdown to Christmas has begun. Are your cards in
the mail yet? What message have you extended to friends and
family? Illustrations of cats in foppy red Santa caps or snowy
winter scenes cannot effect a change in the lives of those who
do not know the Christ of Christmas. For only the Word of
God has the power to reach into searching hearts and bring
hope.
Where will you fnd joy this Christmas? Its not in brightly
colored packages under the tree. And unless your loved
ones know the Lord, jubilation probably wont be present at
your family gatherings either. For we cannot partake of this
commodity apart from Christ.
Consider today what printed message you will send to
loved ones this Christmas. . .a message of hope about Christ
the Savior, or a scene in which He is nowhere to be found?
Dear Lord, thank You for the knowledge that
Jesus is still the reason for the season.
SUNDAY
DECEMBER 1
The Reason for Jobs Suffering
Job. . .was blameless, upright, fearing God, and turning away
from evil. And seven sons and three daughters were born to him.
His possessions also were 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen,
500 female donkeys, and very many servants.
JOB 1:13
This, of course, was life as Job used to know it, before his
character was tested. And the LORD said to Satan, Have
you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like
him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing
God and turning away from evil. Then Satan answered the
LORD, Does Job fear God for nothing? Hast Thou not made
a hedge about him and his house. . .and all his possessions
have increased in the land. But put forth Thy hand now
and touch all that he has; he will surely curse Thee to Thy
face (Job 1:811).
Satan intimated to God that Job only loved Him
because of all the blessings Job had received. Then the
LORD said to Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your
power, only do not put forth your hand on him (Job
1:12).
Jobs life became an unwelcome ride on a trolley
called tragedy. In one day he lost all his children and his
house, servants, and livestock. And through all of this Job
refused to blame God or sin.
Lord, as a Christian, lead me so that I do not
expect You to be my celestial Santa Claus.
Lead me so I continue to follow,
no matter the circumstances.
MONDAY
DECEMBER 2
Password, Please
And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also:
heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His
inheritance with Him].
ROMANS 8:17 AMP
Passwords are required everywhere, it seems: ATM machines,
computer settings, bill paying. Passwords identify the user.
They are intended to keep others out of our business. Were
urged to change them frequently to protect our identity.
Christians have but one password: Jesus. Once we acquire
this password through salvation, we become heirs of God
with Him. Were children of the king. Precious saints. The
Father gives us His own name to set us apart from the world.
Unlike computer or ATM passwords, this special name
can never be compromised. We are safe and secure in the Fa-
thers arms, able to access every gift promised. Read the scrip-
tures to see all that is available to you as a believer: eternal
life, provision, promise after promise, blessing upon blessing.
Do you have your password, ready to swing open the
gates of heaven? Its Jesus. Jesus, period. No other name is
needed, no other combination.
You can take that to the bank.
Dear heavenly Father, today I choose to follow You.
I give You my life, my all. Teach me Your ways
and guard my heart.
TUESDAY
DECEMBER 3
Ordinary Transformed
Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene,
Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices,
that they might come and anoint Him.
MARK 16:1 NKJV
Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome
bought burial spices and headed to Jesus tomb to perform
an ordinary task after the death of a loved one. In their
darkest hour, as they grieved, they went about doing the
job at hand. What a surprise they had in store when they
got to the tomb and found that Jesus had risen from the
dead!
A sleepless woman got up from bed, her mind
troubled with a problem. Wandering around her house,
she saw a stack of wrinkled clothes on the ironing board,
a tiresome task she had left unfnished. As she prayed
and asked for Gods help, she remembered a phrase shed
heard on the radio earlier that day: Do the next thing. In
the middle of the night, with a heart heavy with care, she
began the repetitive chore. Pressing shirt after shirt, her
head cleared and she found a solution to her problem.
Soon her ironing was fnished and she went to bed.
That night the sleepless woman learned what
Christian monks have known for centuries: There is
spiritual value in the monotonous tasks essential to our
lives. Often, its in these times that we are surprised by
the Lord, just as the women at His tomb were. As we
engage our bodies in work, our minds are free to feel His
presence and sense His leading.
Lord, help me to look and listen for You during the
ordinary moments of my daily work.
WEDNESDAY
DECEMBER 4
He Is Coming wit te Clouds
Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him,
even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth
will mourn over Him. Even so. Amen.
REVELATION 1:7
Cecil B. DeMille was known for his extravagant movie
productions. Who can forget his version of Moses parting the
Red Sea? However, the appearance of Christ in the clouds
will surpass every event that has ever taken place on earth.
This future event will be a worldwide phenomenon in which
every eye will see Him. And the hearts of those who refused
to examine the evidence and refused to know Him will ache
with the agonizing pain of conviction that its simply too late.
The purpose for His appearance this time will be to judge
the world of its greatest sin, the rejection of His great gift of
salvation.
Those who are unprepared for this global happening will
be in shock! For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven
with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the
trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise frst. Then
we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with
them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we
shall always be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:1617). It
doesnt get any better than this!
Father, when humans have failed me I tend to blame
You for their choices. Please break down the barriers in
my heart that I might worship Your Son this Christmas.
THURSDAY
DECEMBER 5
Late-Night Counseling
I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
PSALM 16:7 NIV
For us women, the nighttime hours are often diffcult.
When the chaos of the day settles down and our head
hits the pillow, were free to think. . .about everything.
Problems. Relationship issues. Job concerns. Decisions.
The what ifs. The I should haves. Sometimes our
thoughts wander for hours. We toss and turn, and sleep
wont come.
If youre like this, if you fnd nighttime diffcult, then
its time for a change of thinking. Instead of looking at the
night as problematic, look at it as your one-on-one time
with the Lord. He longs to meet you in the wee hours
of the night. He wants to chase away any unnecessary
worries and give you everything you need to sleep like a
baby.
How encouraging to know that God longs to counsel
usto advise. And Hes fully aware that nighttime is hard.
So, instead of fretting when you climb into bed, spend
that time with Him. Use the nighttime as your special
time with God. Meet with Him and expect to receive His
counsel.
Lord, nighttimes are hard sometimes. I want to
trust You. I want to put my head on the pillow and
fall fast asleep. But the cares of the day overwhelm
me. Father, I trust Your counsel. Speak to me in the
night. Instruct my heart.
FRIDAY
DECEMBER 6
Grace versus te Law
I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who
called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;
which is really not another; only there are some who are
disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
GALATIANS 1:67
Christmas will be here before we know it. Perhaps there will
be a big red package under the tree for you, perhaps a brand-
new bathrobe? Doesnt your family know how comforting
and warm your old robe is? Are they trying to rip away this
nucleus of your solace? No, they just want to replace one
that is threadbare, faded, and otherwise tacky with a better-
looking model.
Jewish believers were transitioning from the Law, flled
with regulations, and beginning to follow the Gospel of grace.
However, they easily fell into the trap of desiring their old
robes back. A group called the Judaizers began wooing them
back to the old covenant rites, including circumcision.
Therefore, Paul, Gods apostle to the Gentiles, left on his
missionary journeys to bring the Gospel of grace to those who
were being seduced by this group.
Paul, teacher of the Law, now speaks to them of his own
conversion. The gospel which was preached by me is not
according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor
was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus
Christ (Galatians 1:1112).
Paul played a central role in the persecution
of the church of God beyond measure. But
seeing Christ, face-to-face, reduced him to heartfelt
repentance. Lord, strengthen my
own commitment to You.
SATURDAY
DECEMBER 7
Creations Praise
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mothers womb.
PSALM 139:13 NIV
God didnt spend seven days creating things and then
put His creation abilities on the shelf. He is continually
creating wonderful things for His people. He created each
of us with a special design in mind. Nothing about us is
hidden from Himthe good parts or the bad.
Before you had a thought or moved a muscle, God
was working out a plan for your existence. Maybe He
gave you brown hair and a sweet smile or good genes for
a long life, or He gave you dark hair and clever fngers
that are artistic. Perhaps He gave you a musical voice
that worships Him daily in song. Whatever His gifts,
He designed them just for you, to bring ministry to His
hurting world.
When we look at the seven days of Creation, lets
thank God that He didnt set things working and then
walk away. Adam and Eve were important to Him, but
so are we. He has personally created everything in this
wonderful worldincluding us.
Do we need any more reason to praise the Lord who
brought into existence every fber of our beings?
Thank You, Lord, for detailing every piece of
my body, mind, and spirit. Im glad nothing that
happens to me or in me is a surprise to You. Help
me use all Your gifts to Your glory. Amen.
SUNDAY
DECEMBER 8
Take Five
The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground,
and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.
GENESIS 2:7 NKJV
How would you describe your physical and mental state
today? Are you rested and refreshed, or do you feel weary,
worn down by the unrelenting demands and pressures of
doing life? We tend to think that the longer and harder we
work, the more productive we will be. But when we become
fatigued spiritually and emotionally, we eventually reach a
point of exhaustion.
You are in control and you can stop the world from
spinning. Even if you know that it is impossible to take a day
off, it helps tremendously to make time for a personal time-
out.
Pause from whatever you are doing for just a few
moments and breathe deeply. Shut your offce door, close
your eyes, or pause for a second or two in the bathroom. Ask
God for a sense of calm and clarity of mind to deal properly
with your next assignment. Take time to unwind from a
stressful day by a few minutes of me time in the car as you
drive home. If your commute is short, pull over for a few
minutes and let the weight of the day fall off.
Sometimes the most active thing we can do is rest, even if
for only a short time.
Father, help me not to push myself so hard. Help me to
remember to take fve and breathe. Amen.
MONDAY
DECEMBER 9
Smiles Bring Joy
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.
PROVERBS 15:30 NIV
The teenage girl nervously walked backstage. It was her
turn next. She had practiced for hours. This song was
perfect, her teacher had said. But the butterfies in her
stomach were telling a different story. Fear began to grip
her throat. She couldnt breathe. It was then that she saw
her mother sitting in the front row. There she was, eyes
sparkling, smiling that goofy smile, and proudly saying,
My daughter is next! She is so talented! The young girl
took a deep breath and closed her eyes. The fear melted
and confdence took over. I can do this, she thought as she
boldly walked onstage.
Smiles can say so many things in a quiet, gentle form.
They can give comfort and support and bring joy and
strength to someone who is weary. Courage and confdence
are given by the love that smiles portray. They can simply
remind a person that someone really does care. And more
often than not, a smile is immediately returned to the giver.
Joy is contagious; spread it around. Smile at someone
today. Go ahead and chuckle at that joke. Laugh with
someone. Not only will you be blessing another, but also
you will be blessed yourself.
Dear Lord, fll me with Your joy today that I
may bless others with my smile and laughter and
portray Your love to those around me. Amen.
TUESDAY
DECEMBER 10
Gods Message to te Churches
But I have this against you,
that you have left your frst love.
REVELATION 2:4
One of my favorite questions to ask couples over dinner is
How did you meet? Each story invariably presents a set of
impossible circumstances that had to be orchestrated in order
to bring this man and woman together. As these details are
relayed, a glow begins to come back into the eyes of those
remembering. There is nothing to compare with that frst
bloom of love.
This is the kind of love that God desires from us. That on-
fre, totally consuming, single focus of our attention. His call to
the church at Ephesus then was that they remember their frst
loveand rekindle their purpose to seek Him frst.
His message, however, to the church at Smyrna was very
different. I know your tribulation and your poverty (but
you are rich). Do not fear what you are about to suffer. . . .
Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life
(Revelation 2:910).
Throughout history, Gods church has suffered perse-
cution. But here is a message of hope to all for whom cruelty
is a constant companion: Remain faithful. Gods reward is at
hand.
O Lord, may Your Light be the fre in my soul!
WEDNESDAY
DECEMBER 11
Jesus as Our Arbitrator
If only there were someone to arbitrate between us. . .
so that his terror would frighten me no more.
JOB 9:3334 NIV
Penny took her daily walk, trying to clear her thoughts.
Her sister Susie had been diagnosed with stage 3
breast cancer. . .not a death sentence, but a serious and
frightening diagnosis, nonetheless. Not only that, but
Pennys job was in jeopardy, her parents had needs of
their own, and Pennys car was in the shopagain. I
dont know how much more I can take, Penny said out
loud. God, helpif Youre even listening!
When our world caves in, its tempting to blame God
and push Him away. Though such a reaction is all-too-
human, God longs for us to seek Him during times of
struggle. We may never know this side of heaven why He
allows certain things to happen, but we can be sure that He
loves us and will never leave us.
As Job noted, God knew of our need for someone
to bridge the gap between us and our perfect heavenly
Father. So He sent Jesus to be our arbitrator and the
perfect sacrifce for our sins. Because of His death, we
dont have to fear Gods wrath.
Today, instead of looking at your circumstances, lift
your head and look to Jesus. He wants to spare you the
terror you are experiencing. When you surrender your
situation to Him, He will comfort you with His presence.
Lord, thank You for sending Jesus to be the bridge
between us. Help me to turn to Himand not run
awayin times of fear and doubt.
THURSDAY
DECEMBER 12
Behave Yourself!
I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto
me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
PSALM 101:2 KJV
Home is where the heart is.
Home is a refuge, a place of rest.
Home is the smell of fresh-baked bread, the sound of
laughter, the squeeze of a hug.
Because home is a place of comfort and relaxation, it is
also the place where we are most likely to misbehave. We
would never think of yelling at family members in public, for
example, but if one of them pushes our buttons just once at
home, we will instantly level her or him with a verbal machine
gun.
David himself knew the danger of walking unwisely at
home. He was homenot in battlewhen he saw Bathsheba
on the rooftop. His psalm cited above reminds us that we
must behave wisely all the time, but especially at home.
Because more is caught than taught, our family must see
mature behavior from us. We must model integritywe must
keep our promises and act the way we want those around us
to act. HypocrisyDo as I say, not as I dohas no place in
the home of a mature Christian woman who has been made
complete in Christ.
May God grow us up into mature women, and may we
walk accordingly, especially at home.
Father God, how often I fail at home. Make me sensitive
to the Spirit so that I will recognize when I am straying
from the path of maturity. Im the adult here;
help me to act as one. Amen.
FRIDAY
DECEMBER 13
Anxiety Check!
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer
and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
PHILIPPIANS 4:6 NIV
Twenty-frst-century women are always checking things.
A bank balance. E-mail. Voice messages. The grocery
list. And, of course, that never-ending to-do list. We
routinely get our oil, tires, and brake fuid checked. And
we wouldnt think of leaving home for the day without
checking our appearance in the mirror. We even double-
check our purses, making sure we have the essentials
lipstick, mascara, and the cell phone.
Yes, checking is a part of living, isnt it? We do it
without even realizing it. Checking to make sure weve
locked the door, turned off the stove, and unplugged
the curling iron just comes naturally. So why do we
forget some of the bigger checks in life? Take anxiety, for
instance.
When was the last time you did an anxiety check?
Days? Weeks? Months? Chances are, youre due for
another. After all, were instructed not to be anxious
about anything. Instead, were to present our requests to
God with thanksgiving in our hearts. Were to turn to Him
in prayer so that He can take our burdens. Once theyve
lifted, its bye-bye anxiety!
Father, I get anxious sometimes. And I dont
always remember to turn to You with my anxiety.
In fact, I forget to check for anxiety at all. Today
I hand my anxieties to You. Thank You that I
can present my requests to You.
SATURDAY
DECEMBER 14
The Rainbow Surrounding Christ
Behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne.
And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a
sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the
throne, like an emerald in appearance.
REVELATION 4:23
God promised Noah that He would never again destroy the
world by a food. As a reminder, God set a rainbow in the
clouds (Genesis 9:1316). Now we see that there is also a
rainbow in heaven, but its not the half-bow were used to
seeing. This rainbow is a complete circle because in heaven
all things are whole and fnished. Yet the most amazing thing
about this prism of color is that it surrounds Christ.
We know this because there He is sitting on the throne,
which is the posture of judgment, and He is being worshiped.
Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was
and who is and who is to come (Revelation 4:8). In this
passage Christ is referred to as the Creator. And He is the
image of the invisible God, the frst-born of all creation.
For in Him all things were created, both in the heavens and
on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions
or rulers or authoritiesall things have been created through
Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all
things hold together (Colossians 1:1517). Jesus Christ, God
Almighty, who resides in heaven and sits on the throne of
judgment, is surrounded by the rainbow.
Lord, thank You that the Babe of Christmas
will one day judge the whole world.
SUNDAY
DECEMBER 15
Have You Been wit Jesus?
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived
that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled.
And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
ACTS 4:13 NKJV
A young woman grew up in the Deep South but attended
college in another part of the country. With time, she
began to lose her Southern drawl. When she returned
to her hometown for extended visits, however, she found
herself picking up the regional dialect again. Her friends
would tease her, saying, We can tell youve been down
South again! Words like yall and phrases such as fxin to
made it apparent that she had spent time with her family.
This didnt bother her, though. The woman was proud of
her Southern roots.
In Acts we read that Peter and John healed a crippled
man and, when questioned by the authorities, boldly
responded that the healing had been done in Jesus
name. They went on to preach the gospel. Extraordinary
courage was seen in these ordinary men. The rulers were
astounded. They took note that Peter and John had been
with Jesus.
When we meditate on scripture and seek the Lord
in prayer regularly, we naturally become a little more like
Him. Just as slow Southern speech points clearly to a
particular region on the map, may our lives undeniably
refect that we have been with the Son of God.
Jesus, make me more like You today. Amen.
MONDAY
DECEMBER 16
Healty Habits
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify
ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit,
perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Tanya woke up Monday morning with a terrible headache.
She washed down a couple aspirin with a cup of coffee,
showered, and tried her best to go to work with a smile
plastered on her face. By noon the pain lessened, and she
grabbed a sandwich from the vending machine. By 2 p.m. she
was ready to call it a day. Diet soda kept her going through
the afternoon. Dinner was a frozen entre, eaten over the
sink. After some mindless television she fell into bed, but her
sleep was restless. As she stared at the numbers on her digital
clock glowing in the dark, she knew the next day would be no
better than this one.
What Tanya doesnt realize, and what many fail to
understand, is that the way we feel today is directly related
to the habits we practiced yesterday. A weekend of staying up
until all hours of the night and eating junk food will likely
produce a Monday morning of misery. On the other hand,
the investment of exercising, getting enough sleep, and eating
properly reaps countless benefts in helping us be more
productive, clearheaded, and energetic. God created our
earthly bodies to be temples, and we only get one.
Father, thank You for my temple. Help me to care
for it to the best of my ability and honor You
with healthy habits. Amen.
TUESDAY
DECEMBER 17
Difficult People
Do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the fesh,
but through love serve one another.
GALATIANS 5:13 NASB
In the classic movie An Affair to Remember, Deborah Kerr
asks Cary Grant, What makes life so diffcult? to which
he responds, People?
Yes, people tend to make our lives diffcult. But they
also make life worth living. The trick is not to let the
biting words or nefarious deeds of others become glaring
giants that make us fee or weigh us down with hate and
resentment.
The only way David stood up to the giant Goliath
was by turning his problem over to the Lord and relying
on His strength and power. Then, acting in faith, David
prevailed with the weapons at handa slingshot and one
smooth stone.
Sometimes, like David, we need to turn our
skirmishes with others over to the Lord. Then, by using
our weaponsGods Word and a steadfast faithwe need
to love and forgive others as God loves and forgives us.
Always keep in mind that, although we may not like
to admit it, we have all said and done some pretty awful
things ourselves, making the lives of others diffcult. Yet
God has forgiven us and continues to love us.
So do the right thing. Pull your feet out of the mire of
unforgiveness, sidestep verbal retaliation, and stand tall in
the freedom of love and forgiveness.
The words and deeds of others have left me
wounded and bleeding. Forgiveness and love seem
to be the last thing on my mind. Change my heart,
Lord. Help me to love and forgive others as You
love and forgive me. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
DECEMBER 18
A Strong Heart
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides
you. My fesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength
of my heart and my portion forever.
PSALM 73:2526 NIV
Do you ever feel like you have a weak heart? Feel like youre
not strong? You crater at every little thing? Do you face lifes
challenges with your emotions in turmoil instead of facing
them head-on with courage and strength? If so, youre not
alone. Twenty-frst-century women are told they can be it
all and do it all, but its not true. God never meant for us to
be strong every moment of our lives. If we were, we wouldnt
need Him.
Heres the good news: You dont have to be strong. In
your weakness, Gods strength shines through. And His
strength surpasses anything you could produce, even on your
best day. Its the same strength that spoke the heavens and the
earth into existence. The same strength that parted the Red
Sea. And its the same strength that made the journey up the
hill to the cross.
So how do you tap in to that strength? Theres really only
one way. Come into His presence. Spend some quiet time
with Him. Acknowledge your weakness, then allow His strong
arms to encompass you. Theres really nothing else in heaven
or on earth to compare. God is all you will ever need.
Father, I feel so weak at times. Its hard just to put
one foot in front of the other. But I know You are my
strength. Invigorate me with that strength today, Lord.
THURSDAY
DECEMBER 19
Renewing Our Minds
Present your bodies a living and holy sacrifce,
acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed
by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of
God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
ROMANS 12:12
Mary had lived an exemplary life and was betrothed to
Joseph. Then an angel came with an announcement
that would cast a shadow of doubt on her impeccable
character. God had asked Mary to bear His Son.
Leaving the results of this decision in the hands of
her powerful God, Mary accepted her role as the mother
of the Messiah. And during the diffcult days which
followed, she allowed the Word of God to renew her mind.
But was that enough to give her suffcient power to obey
the Lord?
The apostle Paul answers this question for us. For
though we walk in the fesh, we do not war according to the
fesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the fesh,
but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We
are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised
up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every
thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians
10:35).
The weapons that God provides for us are spiritual.
We must become profcient with such an arsenal before
such can be effective. So, if the Lord says His Word is a
weapon to be used against the enemy, weve got to read it,
know it, and follow it.
Lord, I am grateful for Marys example.
FRIDAY
DECEMBER 20
The Practice of Praise
Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me. . . .
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefts:
who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
who redeemeth thy life from destruction.
PSALM 103:14 KJV
Trials come to all of us, and when they do, its easy to forget
all that God has done for us in the past. Often our adverse
circumstances sabotage our efforts to praise God in every
situation.
The psalmist practiced the power of praise as he
acknowledged Gods faithfulness to forgive, heal, and restore.
He blessed the Lord with his whole heart because he trusted
in Gods divine plan.
Positive acclamations of our faith produce remarkable
results. First, praise establishes and builds our faith. It
decrees, No matter what is happening, no matter how I
feel, I choose to praise God! Second, praise changes our
perspective. As we relinquish control, praise redirects our
focus toward God rather than on our problems. And third,
praise blesses the heart of God. It brings God joy for His
children to acknowledge His presence and power through
praise.
The Bible admonishes us to praise God in every circum-
stance, saying, In every thing give thanks: for this is the will
of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (1 Thessalonians 5:18
KJV). To bless the Lord in all things is to receive Gods bless-
ings. Begin the practice of praise today!
Heavenly Father, You are worthy of all my praise.
I thank and praise You for my current circumstances,
knowing that You are at work on my behalf. Amen.
SATURDAY
DECEMBER 21
FIRST DAY OF WINTER
Honor Your Parents
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the
land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
EXODUS 20:12 KJV
Honoring your parents is a lifelong duty. It looks different
at four, fourteen, and forty, but it is a commandment
important enough that almighty God chose to include it
in a list of just ten.
This commandment may be diffcult for an adult
woman to know how to obey. You know you should honor
your mother and father, and yet it is not always simple.
What exactly does honor entail? You are an adult, and
yet they are still your parents. What if your parents are
unbelievers?
These are not easy questions to answer, but the
commandment is fairly cut and dry. Honor them, respect
them, treat them well, listen to them, and never speak ill
of them to others. You may not follow all of your parents
advice. Now that you are an adult, you are not required to
do so. It is still admirable to seek it at times. They know
you well, and they have lived longer than you have. They
may have helpful input.
If your parents are not believers, honor them in every
way possible so long as it does not cause you to stumble
in your walk with the Lord. We are always called to put
the Lord frst.
God, help me to honor my parents as You have
instructed me to do. Amen.
SUNDAY
DECEMBER 22
Sharing Our Blessings
Divide your investments among many places,
for you do not know what risks might lie ahead.
Daphne stacked the boxes of canned goods against the
pantry wall, singing praise songs while she worked. God had
transformed the bare-boned Christmas that she expected into
an overwhelming abundance. First her church and then her
workplace brought box after box of food and gifts. The last,
crowning gift came from her husbands workplace, a leftover
Christmas tree. Green branches and Christmas cards replaced
the strands of light she had hung on the front window.
Many of us have experienced times when Gods people
have stepped in with a much-needed gift of transportation or
food or a car repair.
Maybe thats why God tells us to give as much of
ourselves and our belongings to as many people as possible.
We need the grace of giving and receiving.
Later Daphne had more to offer. An abused woman
stayed in her home. She invited friends over for holiday meals
and bought gifts for needy children. She started small during
that memorable Christmas. There was so much more than
she could use. One out of every ten cans went to a local food
bank.
As we have freely received from Gods goodness, may we
freely give.
Father, You provide for our needs. Use us to provide
for others. Give us wisdom as to how
and to whom to give. Amen.
MONDAY
DECEMBER 23
The Temple Is Rebuilt
Now. . .the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that
he sent a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in
writing, saying, Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD, the God
of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He has
appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
Whoever there is among you of all His people, may his God be with him!
Let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of
the Lord, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem.
EZRA 1:13
Is there a Christmas that really stands out in your memory,
one for which the anticipation nearly drove you crazy?
Now transfer that degree of excitement to how Israel
felt when this proclamation fnally went out. The Israelites
were on the fringe of being brought back to the land
God had given them, and now, their center of worship
was about to be restored! Thus, the prophecy recorded in
Jeremiah was fulflled: For thus says the LORD, When
seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit
you and fulfll My good word to you, to bring you back to
this place (Jeremiah 29:1011).
Approximately 175 years before King Cyrus was
even born, God had spoken through the prophet Isaiah
concerning him. Thus says the Lord. . .It is I who says
of Cyrus, He is My shepherd! And he will perform all My
desire. And he declares of Jerusalem, She will be built,
And of the temple, Your foundation will be laid (Isaiah
44:24, 28).
Lord, my world is flled with uncertainty.
But I can be absolutely sure that what
You have said will come to pass.
TUESDAY
DECEMBER 24
CHRISTMAS EVE
Happy Birtday, Jesus!
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth,
to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register,
along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.
And it came about that while they were there, the days were
completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her
frst-born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him
in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
LUKE 2:47
Joy flls our hearts as we celebrate Christmas. But are we
mindful of the sacrifces surrounding this tiny Saviors birth?
First, Christ, the Son of God, willingly left heavens throne,
took on a human body, and grew to manhood so He could die
on the cross.
Next, consider Mary, a young girl flled with dreams of
Joseph, the man to whom shed just been betrothed. An angel
announced to Mary that she had been chosen as the mother
of the Messiah (Luke 1:35). Putting her own desires aside, she
accepted Gods plan.
God also sent an angel to prepare Josephs heart. Behold,
an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Jo-
seph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife;
for that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for
it is he who will save His people from their sins (Matthew
1:2021).
Father, Your Word is all I need today: Behold, a virgin
will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His
name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14).
WEDNESDAY
DECEMBER 25
CHRISTMAS DAY
Blessing, Not Blasting
Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me,
bless his holy name.
PSALM 103:1 KJV
Many people in our country claim they do not believe
in God; others shrug and say they dont know if He
exists. But whenever a copier jams at work, or a dish is
dropped in a restaurant, or a fight is delayed, atheists
and agnostics include God in the midst of their misery.
They yell His name as if He messed up on the jobeven
though they believe He doesnt offcially exist.
We, as Christians, are called to invest all our
emotional energy in blessing God, rather than blasting
Him. When others demean their day as god-awful, we
can choose to experience a God-wonderful day. When
others swear at traffc, we can sing praises along with a
CD or radio. With His helpbecause no one can praise
God without tapping in to the power of His Spiritwe
can develop spiritual radar that detects daily God-
moments worthy of applause: rainbows and roses, clean
water to drink, and belly laughs with our friends.
Every day God stacks His gifts around us as if it were
Christmas. Like children, we cant give Him much. But we
can offer all we are to bless His holy name. And thats the
present He loves most.
Lord, each day I encounter thousands of
opportunities to bless You, the Lord of the universe.
Help me seize the day and praise You
whenever I can!
THURSDAY
DECEMBER 26
King Forever
You, O God, are my king from ages past,
bringing salvation to the earth.
PSALM 74:12 NLT
Sometimes it seems like every part of our lives is affected by
change. From the economy and headline news to friendships
and family relationships, nothing ever seems to stay the
same. Even our leaders are in a constant state of fux. Every
election cycle we see politicians come and go. Generation
after generation, monarchs succeed their elders to the throne.
Ministers move from one church to the next, and bosses get
promotions or transfers.
These changes can leave us feeling unsteady in the
present and uncertain about the future. With more questions
than answers, we wonder how these new leaders will handle
their roles.
Its different in Gods kingdom. Hes the King now, just as
He was in the days of Abraham. His reign will continue until
the day His Son returns to earth, and then on into eternity.
We can relyabsolutely depend onHis unchanging nature.
Take comfort in the stability of the KingHes our leader
now and forever!
Almighty King, You are my rock. When my world
is in turmoil and changes swirl around me,
You are my anchor and my center of balance.
Thank You for never changing. Amen.
FRIDAY
DECEMBER 27
Order in Our Prayers
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers,
petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,
for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may
lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is
good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all
men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 TIMOTHY 2:14
The demands of this world, and the pace at which
our technology is racing, can sometimes overwhelm
us, causing feelings of panic, powerlessness, and even
paranoia. Is there a solution that brings life back into
perspective? Yes. And God calls it prayer.
Our human sense of ineptnesswe simply arent
equal to the task of being in charge of the universe
causes us to react to pressure. So, weve got to release the
hand controls back to God. And when we practice this
on an individual level, the prayers we offer within our
congregations become more effective.
Prayer isnt some mystical entity to be attained by a
few saintly little ladies in the church. Instead, it is an act
of worship on the part of the created toward the Creator.
Prayer is simply talking to God about everything that
affects our lives.
Spirit of God, fall afresh on me that I might
lift my voice in petition to You.
SATURDAY
DECEMBER 28
Keeping Christmas
For there is born to you this day in the city of
David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
LUKE 2:11 NKJV
Christmastime comes. It comes every year right after
Thanksgiving. It comes with noise and crowds and gift wrap.
It comes with fudge and mistletoe and shoppinglots of
shoppingwhether we are ready for it or not. December
brings a new type of busy into our days. It is a busy that is
pine-scented and sparkly and, if we are lucky, snow-blanketed.
Christmas goes. It goes as quickly as it came, with
crumpled tissue paper and leftover ham. It goes with the last
surprise, the fnal carol, and the taking down of lights. It goes
out to the curb, pine-scented stillbut over.
This Christmas season, among the wonderful hustle and
bustle of one more party and one more gift to purchase, take
time to rest in the true meaning of the celebration. Gods only
Son was born in Bethlehem and laid in a manger, sent from
heaven to save us from our sin and give us everlasting life.
This year let Christmas stay. As December melts into
January and a new year begins, keep Christmas. Let the Christ of
Christmas make every day a little happier, a little brighter, a little
bigger. Make life the special occasion, not just December 25.
Keep Christmas this yearall year.
Father, thank You for the gift of Your only Son, sent that
I might have life instead of death. Help me to keep the
spirit of Christmas in my heart
and celebrate Jesus all year long. Amen.
SUNDAY
DECEMBER 29
Going Above and Beyond
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all
we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout
all generations, for ever and ever!
EPHESIANS 3:2021 NIV
Are you one of those people who goes above and
beyondat work, in your relationships, and at play?
Maybe you like to do all youve promised to do, and then
some. If this is true of you, then youre more like your
heavenly Father than you know. His Word promises that
He always goes above and beyond all that we could ask or
imagine.
Think about that for a moment. What have you
asked for? What have you imagined? Its amazing to
think that God, in His infnite power and wisdom, can
do immeasurably more than all that! How? According to
the power that is at work within us. Its not our power,
thankfully. We dont have enough power to scrape the
surface of what wed like to see done in our lives. But His
power in us gets the job done. . .and more.
Praise the Lord! Praise Him in the church and
throughout all generations! Hes an immeasurable God.
Heavenly Father, I feel pretty powerless at times.
Its amazing to realize You have more power in
Your little fnger than all of mankind has put
together. Today I praise You for being a God who
goes above and beyond all I could ask or imagine.
MONDAY
DECEMBER 30
A New Day
God, treat us kindly. Youre our only hope. First thing in the morning,
be there for us! When things go bad, help us out!
ISAIAH 33:2 MSG
There are days that start off wrong and fnish worse. Days in
which we feel out of sorts, like a tire out of balance, clumsy
and ineffcient. We say things we shouldnt say, using a voice
that is too harsh, too loud. We experience days full of failure,
tinged by sin. Wouldnt it be great to redo our bad days?
We have that opportunity. Its called tomorrow.
Lamentations 3:2223 tells us that by Gods mercies, He gives
us a fresh canvas every twenty-four hours. Anger, grudges,
irritations, and pain dont have to be part of it. No matter how
stormy the day before, each new day starts fresh. And He is
there for us frst thing in the morning and every step of the
way in our day, even if things begin to go wrongagain.
Every day is a new day, a new beginning, a new chance
to enjoy our livesbecause each day is a new day with God.
We can focus on the things that matter most: worshipping
Him, listening to Him, and being in His presence. No matter
what happened the day before, we have a fresh start to enjoy
a deeper relationship with Him. A fresh canvas, every twenty-
four hours.
Before I get out of bed in the morning, let me say these
words and mean them: This is the day the LORD has
made; let us rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24 NIV).
TUESDAY
DECEMBER 31
NEW YEARS EVE
Contributors
Banks, Tracy: March
19
Biggers, Emily:
January 31; February
4; April 1, 7; May5,
8; June 16, 18, 22;
July 3, 8; August
20; September 27,
30; October 23;
November 1, 17;
December 16, 22, 29
Bloss, Joanna:
January 19, February
16; March 29; May
1; June 20; July
13, 21; August 19,
23; September 21;
November 4, 25, 29;
December 17
Coty, Debora M.:
March 24; November
26
Douglas, Katherine:
January 3; April 13
Dyer, Dena:
February 8; April 28;
June 14; October
16; November 6;
December 12
Elacqua, Tina:
January 23; August
13; September 16
Farrier, Nancy J.:
March 27; August
26; September 26;
October 25
Fisher, Suzanne
Woods: January 2, 27;
February 20; March
11; April 30; May 7,
26; June 6, 11; July
25; September 1,
22; October 13, 19;
December 31
Fitzpatrick, Carol
Lynn: January 1, 5,
8, 13, 17, 20, 25, 29;
February 2, 6, 10, 12,
17, 21, 25, 28; March
4, 7, 9, 14, 17, 20, 23,
26, 31; April 3, 6, 8,
11, 15, 20, 23, 25, 29;
May 2, 6, 10, 12, 15,
20, 28; June 1, 5, 10,
15, 19, 24, 29; July
4, 9, 14, 19, 23, 29;
August 1, 7, 12, 17,
22, 25, 30; September
3, 7, 11, 15, 19, 23, 28;
October 3, 7, 12, 17,
22, 26, 31; November
3, 8, 12, 16, 20, 23, 27;
December 1, 2, 5, 7,
11, 15, 20, 24, 25, 28
Franklin, Darlene:
February 3, 11; March
15; April 4, 22, 16;
May 11; July 10;
August 29; October
2, 5; November 9;
December 23
Germany, Rebecca:
February 27; May 24;
June 26
Gregor, Shanna D.:
July 22; October 10,
18; November 13, 22;
December 9
Gyde, Judy: March 25
Hanna, Janice:
January 14, 21, 24;
February 18, 19;
April 5; June 8, 12;
July 5, 15; August
9; September 4;
October 20, 30;
November 18;
December 6, 14, 19,
30
Hetzel, June: May 23;
June 30; November
14
Key, Eileen: January
18, 22; February
5, 13; March 6, 22;
April 26; May 21;
July 27; August 4,
15; September 13;
December 3
Krause, Tina: March
10; July 6, 20; August
16; September
10; October 9,
27; November 10;
December 21
Keller, Austine:
January 11; May 3;
June 3; November
7, 28
Kucera Jones,
Shelly: March 1;
April 9; May 22; July
1; December 10
Lehman, P. J.: March
28; August 10;
September 17
Maltese, Donna K.:
February 15; April
17; June 6; August
3; September
6; October 4;
December 18
McDonald, Faith
Tibbetts: June 4
McGlone, Becky:
May 14; June 17; July
7, 12; August 2, 11,
14; September 20;
November 21
McQuade, Pamela:
March 16; May
25; June 27; July
11, 31; October
15; November 30;
December 8
Middlebrooke,
Helen Widger:
February 26; April
12; June 13; August
5, 27; September
9; October 29;
November 5, 19;
December 13
Nydegger, Mandy:
February 24;
September 24
ODell, Nicole:
9; March 18; April
27; May 16, 29; June
2, 21; August 28;
September 2, 25;
October 1, 11
Phillips, Rachael:
February 7, 14;
March 5; April 2,
10; June 23; July
30; August 24;
December 26
Ratliff, Sarah Mae:
March 8; July 28
Rayburn, Julie:
1, 23; March 2, 12;
May17, 19; July 2;
August 8; September
18; October 21
Redenbo, Judy:
January 4; July 24;
September 5
Reid-Matchett,
Kimm: January 16,
28; March 21; April
21; June 25; July 18;
October 8, 24, 28;
November 15
Richards, Ramona:
April 24; May 4; July
17
Schmelzer, Kate E.:
March 13; May 13;
September 12
Slawson, Leah:
January 6, 15; April
14; May 9, 30; June
28; July 16; August
6, 21, 31; September
8; October 6, 14;
November 11;
December 4
Thomas, Christan:
February 22; May 31
Tipton, Annie:
January 9, 26;
April 18; July 26;
September 14;
November 24;
December 27
Vawter, Marjorie:
January 7, 30;
March 3; April 19;
May 18; August
18; September 29;
November 2
Willey, Martha:
March 30
Wise, Jean: May 27;
June 9
TRACY BOBO
BANKS is a freelance
writer, award-winning
poet, licensed
minister, business
owner, and Web site
administrator. Her
greatest blessings:
Gods unconditional
love, family, friends,
and autistic niece,
Hailie. www.
tracybobobanks.com
EMILY BIGGERS
is a gifted education
specialist in a north
Texas public school
district. She enjoys
travel, freelance
writing, and serving
in a local apartment
ministry through her
church.
JOANNA BLOSS
lives with her four
children in the
Chicago area. She
is coauthor of Grit
for the Oyster: 250
Pearls of Wisdom for
Aspiring Writers and
author of Gods Gifts
for the Graduate.
Joanna is also a
personal trainer and
a graduate student in
clinical psychology.
DEBORA M. COTY
is an events speaker,
columnist, author
of The Distant Shore
and Hugs, Humor,
and Hope for Harried
Moms, contributor to
Heavenly Humor for
the Womans Soul, and
coauthor of Grit for
the Oyster: 250 Pearls
of Wisdom for Aspiring
Writers.
Author and speaker
KATHERINE
DOUGLAS started
writing creatively
in the third grade.
Her publications
include six books and
dozens of articles.
You may visit her
Web site at www.
katherinedouglas.
com.
DENA DYER is a
writer who resides
in the Texas Hill
Country. She has
contributed to
more than a dozen
anthologies and
has authored or
coauthored three
humor books. www.
denadyer.com
TINA ELACQUA
teaches, writes, and
publishes journal
articles, books,
conference papers/
presentations, and
technical reports/
presentations.
She has held
roles of research
scientist, professor,
and consultant
in industrial/
organizational
psychology.
NANCY J. FARRIER
is the author of
twelve books and
numerous articles
and short stories.
She is married and
has fve children.
She lives with her
family in Southern
California.
SUZANNE WOODS
FISHERs debut
novel, Copper Star,
released in 2007.
The sequel, Copper
Fire, will release in
May 2008. Fisher is a
contributing editor
to Christian Parenting
Today magazine.
CAROL LYNN
FITZPATRICK is a
bestselling author
of nine books that
have totaled nearly
three quarters of a
million books sold.
Her book Daily
Wisdom for Women
appeared on the
CBA (Christian
Booksellers Assoc.)
Ten Best Sellers List
for many years.
DARLENE
FRANKLIN resides
in the Colorado
foothills with her
mother and her
Sia-Ti (Siamese/
Tiger) cat, Talia. An
author and speaker,
she has two grown
children and two
grandchildren.
Darlene has
published novels,
magazine articles,
and childrens
curriculum.
REBECCA
GERMANY
works full-time as
a fction editor and
has written and
compiled several
novellas and gift
books. She lives in
Ohio, where she
enjoys tending a
kitchen garden.
SHANNA D.
GREGOR is a
writer and editor
who helps ministries
and publishers
develop books
that express Gods
voice for today
through the doors of
opportunity He sets
before her.
JUDY GYDE and
her husband, Bruce,
have been married
for four decades
and have three
children and seven
grandchildren (so
far). They serve
as leaders in
their church and
enjoy their RV
and motorcycle.
Judys writing has
been published in
more than forty
publications.
JANICE HANNA
(who has also
written under
the name Janice
Thompson) is the
author of more than
thirty novels and
nonfction books.
She enjoys writing
books that touch
lives. Janice lives in
Texas.
JUNE HETZEL,
Ph.D., is professor
of education at
Biola University.
She enjoys the
roles of wife, friend,
author, editor, and
professor. She and
her husband, Geoff,
reside in Southern
California.
AUSTINE KELLER
resides in Tampa,
Florida, writing
and publishing as
ministry to others
as well as for her
own enjoyment.
She also enjoys a
newly emptied nest
and fshing with her
husband.
EILEEN KEY
resides in Texas
near her three
grown children
and two wonderful
grandchildren. She
taught school for
thirty years and now
pursues her interests
of writing and
editing.
SHELLY KUCERA
JONES is a training
specialist with a farm
insurance company.
A freelance writer,
she has contributed
to Barbours Daily
Wisdom for Single
Mothers project.
Shelly and her
husband live in Texas.
TINA KRAUSE is
an award-winning
newspaper columnist
and author of the
book Laughter
Therapy. She is
a wife, mom, and
grandmother of
four. Tina and her
husband, Jim, live in
Valparaiso, Indiana.
P. J. LEHMAN has
written for three
devotional books
from her home in
Valrico, Florida.
She teaches writing,
enjoys the arts,
and her all-time
favoritea hammock
and a good book. Her
most fulflling role
is being a wife and
the mother of three
children.
DONNA K.
MALTESE is a
writer, editor, and
the author of Power
Prayers to Start Your
Day. She is married,
has two children, and
resides in Silverdale,
Pennsylvania.
FAITH TIBBETTS
McDONALD lives
in Pennsylvania with
her husband and
three children. She
teaches writing at the
Pennsylvania State
University and is
coauthor of the book
Grit for the Oyster: 250
Pearls of Wisdom for
Aspiring Writers.
BECKY McGLONE
is a passionate
follower of Christ,
a home-schooling
mom, and freelance
writer. Her previous
work includes the
self-published
Devotions for Diffcult
Days, as well as
writing published
in the Billy Graham
Evangelistic
Associations Decision
magazine. Becky lives
in central Ohio.
PAMELA McQUADE
is a freelance writer
and editor with
several books to her
credit, including
Prayers and Promises
for the Graduate and
Daily Wisdom for
the Workplace. She
and her husband
live in the New York
metropolitan area.
HELEN WIDGER
MIDDLEBROOKE
is the mother of
nine home-educated
children, including a
daughter with Down
syndrome. She lives
on Guam, where she
is a freelance writer
and an advocate for
the disabled.
MANDY
NYDEGGER lives
with her husband,
David, in Waco, Texas.
She loves Christmas,
snow, and the
Indianapolis Colts.
NICOLE ODELL
is an accomplished
writer of books,
devotions, and Bible
studies. She has been
an in-depth studier,
Bible study leader,
and teacher for more
than twelve years.
Nicole lives in central
Illinois with her
husband, Wil, and
their children.
RACHAEL
PHILLIPS is an
award-winning
fction and humor
writer who has
authored four
biographies
published by Barbour
Publishing. Rachael
and her husband
live in Indiana. Visit
her website at www.
rachaelwrites.com.
SARAH MAE
RATLIFF enjoys
worshipping
God, writing, working
with children, and
spending time with
her family. Sarah
and her husband,
Ryan, are high school
sweethearts who are
expecting a son in
April.
JULIE RAYBURN
is a public speaker
and an area director
for Community
Bible Study. She
lives in Atlanta with
her husband, Scott.
They have two grown
children and one
granddaughter.
JUDY REDENBO is
a wife and mother of
four from the Toledo,
Ohio, area. She wants
to share with others
the grace God has
given her through
many experiences
in caregiving. Judy
spends her free
time writing and
encouraging older
people.
KIMM REID-
MATCHETT put
herself through
university while
raising three active
boys. After receiving
a psychology degree,
she remarried
and now fnds her
newly combined
family of nine to be
exhilarating. Kimm
continues to work on
writing projects while
volunteering at a
womens shelter. She
resides in Alberta,
Canada.
RAMONA
RICHARDS is an
award-winning
author and editor
who has worked
on more than
350 publications.
Ramonas articles
have appeared in
Todays Christian
Woman and
Chicken Soup for the
Caregivers Soul, and
her books include A
Moment with God for
Single Parents. She
lives in Nashville with
her daughter Rachel.
KATE E.
SCHMELZER
graduated from
Taylor University
in 2008 with a
double major in
professional writing
and counseling and
a minor in Christian
education. She hopes
to be an author,
counselor, and
missionary.
LEAH SLAWSON
has been married to
her husband, Guice,
for more than twenty
years and they have
two teenagers, a son
and daughter. She
lives in Montgomery,
Alabama.
CHRISTAN
THOMAS is a
writer and editor
whose work has ap-
peared in magazines
and newspapers
across Texas and Ten-
nessee. Originally
from the Indianapolis
area, Christan now
lives in Tennessee
with her husband,
Brock, and dogs
Tucker and Suzy Q.
She recently began
doctoral studies at
East Tennessee State
University.
ANNIE TIPTON is
an editor and writer
living in small-town
Ohio. A former
newspaper reporter,
she loves her family,
friends, sushi, and
beach vacations.
MARJORIE
VAWTER is a
full-time freelance
writer, editor, and
proofreader. She lives
with her husband
in Colorado and
enjoys hiking and
snowshoeing near
their cabin in the
mountains. The
Vawters have two
adult children.
MARTHA WILLEY
is married with
three sons. By age
twelve, Martha knew
she wanted to be a
writer. She lives in
northwest Ohio.
JEAN WISE is a
freelance journalist/
writer and a speaker
at retreats and
gatherings. Her
background as an
RN led to work in
public health and
gerontology. She lives
in Edon, Ohio, with
her husband. Find
out more at her web
site: www.jeanwise.
org.
Scripture Index
OLD TESTAMENT
Genesis
1:27January 1
1:27, 31May 31
2:23May 26;
October 16
2:7December 9
9:13, 16April 6
12:12February 20
21:17February 7
31:34June 7
45:45January 13
Exodus
12:2123March 26
14:13August 3
16:4September 20
18:1718January
27
18:19August 23
20:8June 30
20:12December 22
20:17May 5
33:14October 13
Deuteronomy
6:6, 9March 29
16:17May 25
29:26June 14
Joshua
2:11May 4
6:17June 11
Judges
12:710April 28
1 Samuel
1:20May 12
17:33October 15
31:12JULY 9
2 Samuel
9:7July 30
11:25July 23
13:20November 29
22:5, 7February 8
22:20March 16
2 Kings
5:3June 23
Ezra
1:13December 24
Nehemiah
13:14March 5
Esther
2:24August 25
Job
9:3334December
12
12:710September
23
37:5October 24
37:1416
September 1
Psalms
1:3September 21
5:3January 3,
March 7
5:1112January 22
8:34November 18
10:4February 9
16:7December 6
17:3July 5
17:6November 28
18:29August 19
19:12September
22
22:1January 29
22:26January 4
23:23March 15
23:3August 15
25:89September
16
28:7August 5
29:11September
13
33:9July 26
34:23August 6
34:18April 17
37:4March 18
37:7August 18
38:15June 20
42:56February 16;
March 13
46:1January 18
46:10November 2
55:6November 5
56:14February 28
56:8May 27
57:1April 28
61:14January 17
63:1October 9
66:5March 30
68:19April 22
69:13January 2
73:2526
December 19
74:12December 27
78:4March 24
84:11January 31
91:12October 4
91:5February 18
91:11March 19
92:14March 20
102:1December 13
103:1December 26
103:14December
21
105:40March 14
111:2August 31
118:24December
31
119:23November
25
119:9November 9
119:2629April 3
119:50June 9
119:105October 8
126:2November 26
127:2October 13
130:1November 21
139:13November 4;
December 8
139:1316April 8
145: 1516
November 11
150:12, 6April 11
Proverbs
1:36January 8
2:68April 23
8:12August 24
8:14, 11January 20
8:13September 12
9:1318January 25
11:22November 1
14:33March 9
15:13July 20
15:30November 7;
December 10
16:9May 24;
October 21
17:22March 22;
June 22
19:23July 8
20:3June 12
24:16June 17
27:9January 9
27:17November 19
31:15, 18July 25
31:30June 2
Ecclesiastes
2:13May 6
3:1, 4May 20
8:5March 10
9:11April 5
11:2December 23
12:1, 1314May 28
Song of Solomon
1:15August 26
Isaiah
1:13June 5
8:17November 15
12:3June 28
25:1May 23
26:34May 13
30:15January 7
33:2December 31
40:5July 4
40:8April 21
40:29July 21
41:13May 30
42:16February 15
43:12September
29
49:16May 9
50:4May 11
53:7August 21
55:9March 6
58:11August 10;
September 29
66:2July 16
Jeremiah
1:5April 19
10:2324October 6
23:2324April 13
29:5August 29
29:11January 12
31:25May 18
45:5October 2
Lamentations
3:2223April 27
3:26November 2
3:40January 15
Ezekiel
1:13July 14
3:4July 19
22:30November 13
34:1415July 12
Daniel
1:17October 19
2:23April 24
3:17April 30
3:1718May 22
11:2124August 1
Hosea
8:7June 6
Joel
2:13February 5
Amos
4:13March 21
Jonah
1:3June 27
Micah
6:6, 8September
15
Zephaniah
3:17 January 6;
March 3
Haggai
1:25October 7
Zechariah
2:8October 25
Malachi
1:2April 16
3:10November 14
NEW TESTAMENT
Matthew
4:19February 10;
September 18
5:12October 27
5:14January 26
6:7March 17
6:9November 21
6:10May 19
6:24March 8
6:34April 18
7:12August 13
11:2830January
23; May 18
15:28September 6
16:25April 12
17:20July 10
19:2728January 5
20:3132April 4
22:23June 10
25:35, 40May 13
26:40October 5
Mark
5:2528February 2
5:34September 8
6:3132July 6
7:18, 20November
9
10:2122March 28
12:3538, 40
February 12
14:5155February
21
16:1December 4
Luke
2:47December 25
2:11December 29
2:3638May 2
4:34February 6
5:20January 24
6:41September 14
7:3738July 31
7:38September 30
9:13February 17
10:3637April 26
10:3840February
25
10:4142August
2, 28
11:13February 22
12:34November 30
14:1314
November 17
15:6September 4
15:7November 24
15:810March 4
18:3133March 31
23:45June 26
John
1:41March 23
4:57April 20
4:2829May 8
5:24April 25
6:44May 7
6:5758May 10
6:63October 14
7:25May 15
8:29October 18
9:3May 29
10:23June 1
10:27January 28
11:1, 3June 15
11:35May 27
14:1January 18;
October 23
14:2June 19
14:16July 27
15:13July 15
16:33June 18
17:35June 24
17:4June 13
17:13October 1
18:1921June 29
Acts
4:13December 16
7:5960; 8:1July 29
9:36April 12
9:39April 12
16:15April 7
20:35May 16
28:5July 1
Romans
4:23August 7
5:12, 6August 12
8:1April 9
8:14August 17
8:11October 10
8:15January 21
8:17December 3
8:2627January 30
8:28March 2; May
29
10:1August 22
12:12December
20
12:9July 2
13:1, 6April 15
15:4October 11
1 Corinthians
1:25March 11
1:2627July7
2:9November 22
2:10, 12August 30
2:14March 12
3:1213February 11
3:1617September
3
6:19July 28
8:3April 14
10:16, 8
September 7
12:3September 11
12:45June 8
13:1September 19
15:55August 8
2 Corinthians
1:34September 25
4:18February 23
5:7September 5
5:17January 16
7:1January 11;
December 17
10:12July 17
12:9January 19
Galatians
1:67December 7
1:10February 19;
October 3
3:11September 10
3:26June 16
5:13December 18
5:2225June 21;
October 12
6:9August 16;
October 28
Ephesians
1:34October 17
3:20October 28
3:2021December
30
5:12October 30
5:1517September
2
5:16-17August 9
6:18August 11
Philippians
1:35, 7October 22
2:34April 1;
November 3
4:12November 12
4:67August 20;
December 14
4:11March 25
Colossians
3:37November 20
3:1113November
23
3:23September 27
4:6January 10
1 Thessalonians
2:14February 1
2 Thessalonians
3:5June 3
1 Timothy
2:14December 28
5:10August 27;
October 29
2 Timothy
1:1112February 13
Philemon
1:7March 27
Hebrews
3:14September 28
3:4June 4
4:12October 31
4:16November 6
5:13May 1
6:15March 1
10:2324June 25
10:25May 17
11:13April 10
12:1July 13;
November 10
12:1213April 2
13:6October 20
James
1:24July 18
1:12May 21
1:17February 4
1:1920July 3
1:22February 24
1:27February 26
2:14July 22
5:16August 4
1 Peter
1:67October 26
2:13November 8
3:3-4February 27
5:7August 14
2 Peter
1:35November 16
1 John
1:23December 1
1:9April 9
3:13November 27
3:20April 9
4:10February 14
2 John
1:9July 11
3 John
1:2January 14
Jude
1:24September 26
Revelation
1:7December 5
1:8September 9
2:4December 11
2:17February 3
4:23December 15
19:5May 3
21:6September 24

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